WO1998053679A1

WO1998053679A1 - Solid disinfectant material/surfactant compositions

Info

Publication number: WO1998053679A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/009193
Authority: WO
Inventors: Walter A. Gay; Richard M. Mullins
Original assignee: Arch Chemicals, Inc.
Priority date: 1997-05-30
Filing date: 1998-05-07
Publication date: 1998-12-03
Also published as: AU7288698A; ZA984658B

Abstract

A solid disinfectant material having dispersed therein an effective dissolving-rate-controlling amount of a surfactant.

Description

SOLID DISINFECTANT MATERIAL/SURFACTANT COMPOSITIONS

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composition comprising a solid disinfectant material having a surfactant dispersed therein. In particular, the present invention relates to solid formed articles of a pool sanitizer material [e.g., calcium hypochlorite or trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) or sodium dichloroisocyanurate (SDCC) ] having a surfactant dispersed therein.

2. Description of the Ar A wide variety of solid materials are known to serve as effective disinfecting and/or sanitizing agents for the treatment of recreational/health water, industrial water and household water. For example, tablets of calcium hypochlorite or trichloroisocyanuric acid have been added to the water in swimming pools and the like to disinfect and sanitize that water. Such tablets provide a continuous source of available halogen for disinfecting and sanitizing water supplies over a longer period of time than granular products. A problem with using simple tablets of calcium hypochlorite, trichloroisocyanuric acid or other sanitizers is that they often do not have the desired dissolving rate (i.e., they may dissolve too fast) for a given application. Ordinary skilled artisans in the disinfectant and sanitizer field have attempted to overcome this problem by use of specially shaped tablets, the inclusion of certain additives into the tablets, or the use of a certain dissolving apparatus. Examples of specially shaped tablets are shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,875,003 (Casberg) (encased pool chemical tablet with domed ends); 4,928,813 (Casberg) (encased pool chemical capsule with extended ends) ; and 5,137,731 (Casberg) (chemical tablet with central hole and partially exposed top and bottom) .

Examples of additives added to halogen-containing disinfectants are shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,692,335 (Iwanski) (calcium hypochlorite tablet with a solid wax binder additive); 5,009,806 (Johnson et al . ) (calcium hypochlorite with finely-divided polyfluorinated polymer additive dispersed throughout granules) ; and 5,205,961 (Shenefied et al . ) (granular calcium hypochlorite surface coated with polyfluorinated polymer) .

Examples of certain dissolving apparatus are shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,546,503 (Casberg) (specially shaped container for pool chemical tablet); 4,867,196 (Zetena et al . ) (3 -compartment chemical feeder); and 5,133,381 (Wood et al . ) (3 -compartment chemical feeder with adjustable hopper) .

However, there is still a need in the art for better ways to control the dissolving rate of solid disinfectant materials such as pool sanitizers. The present invention provides a solution to this need whereby solid disinfectant material is made slower dissolving by blending with a surfactant.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a composition comprising a solid disinfectant material having an effective dissolving-rate-controlling amount of a surfactant dispersed therein.

One preferred aspect of the present invention is directed to a solid-formed article comprising a compressed solid disinfectant material having an effective dissolving-rate-controlling amount of a surfactant dispersed therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The term "solid disinfectant material" is used in this specification and claims to include any solid non- halogen-containing material or halogen-containing material that is known as a disinfecting and/or sanitizing agent. Solid non-halogen-containing materials include potassium monopersulfate (also known as OXONE^®) and sodium perborate.

The term "solid halogen-containing disinfectant material" as used in the present specification and claims includes any solid halogen-containing material known as a disinfecting and/or sanitizing agent. These materials include those chemicals that are believed to function as a disinfecting agent by virtue of the formation of a hypohalite ion (e.g., hypochlorite ion) or hypohalous acid (e.g., hypo-chlorous acid) when the material is dissolved in an aqueous medium. Representative examples of such solid halogen- containing disinfectant materials include hypochlorites such as calcium hypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite and magnesium hypochlorite; chlorinated isocyanuric acids such as dichloroisocyanuric acid (also known as dichloro-s-triazinetrione or DCCA) and trichloroisocyanuric acid (also known as trichloro-s- triazinetrione or TCCA) ; sodium and potassium salts of said chlorinated isocyanuric acids such as sodium dichloroisocyanurate (SDCC) as well as mixtures thereof; chlorinated and brominated hydantoins such as 1, 3-dibromo-5, 5-dimethylhydantoin, l-bromo-3-chloro- 5,5-dimethylhydantoin (BCDMH) , 1, 3-dichloro-5-ethyl-5- methylhydantoin, 1, 3-dichloro-5, 5-dimethylhydantoin as well as mixtures of such hydantoins with or without sodium or potassium bromide; N-halo-2-oxazolidinones such as 3-chloro-4, 4-dimethyl-2-oxazolidinone; N,N'- dihalo-2-imidazolidinones such as 1, 3-dichloro-4,4, 5, 5- tetramethyl-2-imidazolidinone; halogenated glycolurils and mixtures of glycolurils with halogenated triazinetriones; and other N-haloamine compounds such as sodium N-chloro-p-toluenesulfonamide or sodium N,N- dichloro-p-toluenesulfonamide. One preferred embodiment of the present invention encompasses any halogen-containing disinfectant material which is made by any process and which is compatible with the surfactant component of the present composition. Numerous descriptions of making these solid disinfectant materials exist and each of aforementioned commercially available solid halogen-containing disinfectants can be prepared by methods well known to the ordinary skilled artisan.

Calcium hypochlorite is the preferred solid halogen-containing disinfectant material of the present invention. It is a preferred sanitizer for swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, health-relating baths, toilet bowls, and water cooling/heating systems. In addition, its strong oxidative power rapidly degrades organic material, e.g., perspiration products, sun tan lotion and the like in recreational and health water. The result of its use is safe and sparkling clear water of high appeal to bathers and other water-users .

Unfortunately, when calcium hypochlorite is used alone in granular form, it rapidly dissolves in water. This requires frequent attention from the consumer to keep the available chlorine concentration in the preferred 1 to 3 ppm range .

Tabletting calcium hypochlorite in the past has given a longer dissolving time, but to date commercial tablets of calcium hypochlorite have had limitations that restricted consumer acceptance. For example, a one-inch diameter calcium hypochlorite tablet in a swimming pool skimmer or floater still dissolves too rapidly, i.e., in about 4 hours. Commercially available plastic wrapped calcium hypochlorite tablets in a skimmer application have given longer and more acceptable dissolving times, e.g., about 3 days; but, the plastic wrap presents the consumer with removal and disposal problems after the calcium hypochlorite therein has been consumed. Commercially available calcium hypochlorite tablets containing a fluorocarbon polymer leave unsightly insolubles in the water after the calcium hypochlorite has been dissolved and also requires a special dispenser.

The present invention makes calcium hypochlorite granules and tablets more long-lasting without the shortcomings of the commercial tablets available to- date. The second critical component of the present invention is a surfactant or a blend of surfactants. The term "surfactant" as used in the specification and claims is used to include any and all types of surface active agents including cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, nonionic "surfactants, or amphoteric surfactants that are compatible with the specific solid disinfecting material employed. The surfactant may be either monomeric or polymeric in nature. The preferred surfactants are the anionic type, with sulfate anionic surfactants having the most preferred class of anionic surfactants. Within this class, sodium lauryl sulfate (also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate) is the most preferred. Also, while sodium, ammonium or triethanolammonium are the preferred counter-ions for anionic surfactants, other counter-ions may be used. Likewise, while chloride or methosulfate is the preferred counter-ion for cationic surfactants, other counter-ions may be used. The main purpose for using a surfactant in the present invention is to adjust the dissolving rate of the solid disinfectant material. The presence of the surfactant lowers the water solubility of the solid disinfectant materials. It is especially beneficial to slow the dissolving rate of a solid halogen-containing disinfectant material like calcium hypochlorite.

The surfactant can be dispersed in many forms, such as powders, flakes, needles, solutions, and the like. Powders are generally preferred for ease-of- dispersing with the disinfectant or sanitizer. If the surfactant is used in powdered form, it is preferably employed in a fine particle-size.

The term "fine particle-size" as applied to surfactant means any particle of surfactant small enough to be dispersed in the halogen-containing disinfectant material. Generally, surfactant materials having an average particle size from about 0.005 to about 10 microns are preferred. Average particle sizes range from about 0.05- to about 5 microns are more preferred.

Surfactants have many other advantages for using them as a dissolving-rate-controlling additive for a solid halogen-containing disinfectant material. One, they generally have little or no affect on the reactivity of halogen-containing disinfectants such as calcium hypochlorite. Two, surfactants do not increase the dustiness of calcium hypochlorite as do some additives such as lime. Three, surfactants are readily available and relatively inexpensive. Four, surfactants generally do not increase the pH or alkalinity of water. Five, surfactants are generally colorless. Their presence does not make the resulting formed articles (e.g., tablets) any less white. Six, the surfactants used herein can make the resulting formed articles (e.g., tablets) smoother. Seven, surfactants can be colored or pigmented. Therefore, the solid formed articles such as tablets can be easily color-differentiated from similar shaped solid halogen- containing disinfectant material. Eight, surfactants keep the liners and skimmers, in swimming pools and the like, cleaner. The term "effective dissolving-rate-controlling amount" as applied to surfactants in the present specification and claims refers to any amount of surfactant that will effectively control the dissolving rate of an solid disinfectant material. Generally, amounts from about 0.01% to about 50% by weight, based on total solids (i.e., combined weight of sanitizer plus surfactant) , are preferred. Of course, this amount may be constantly changing because of the possible variations in many parameters. Some of these parameters include: the specific disinfectant material used; the specific surfactant employed; the specific application; the geometry and size of the disinfectant material; the velocity of the water; temperature; and the like.

Furthermore, the present invention is not restricted to a simple mixture of solid disinfectant material and a surfactant. Other ingredients may be also incorporated, such as perfumes, sequestering agents, flocculents, scale inhibitors, colorants, stabilizers, foam regulators, corrosion inhibitors, algaecides, processing agents and the like.

In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surfactant is mixed or blended with granules of calcium hypochlorite in amounts to control the dissolution rate of the hypochlorite in water. Typically, about 0.1 to about 5.0 parts by weight of the surfactant need to be added to about 99.9 to about 95 parts of calcium hypochlorite granules.

This blending may be carried out in any suitable type of blending equipment. The solid dispersant material may be blended with a powdered or flaked surfactant using a V-Blender, ribbon blender, paddle blender or the like. Also, granules of the solid disinfectant material may be sprayed with an aqueous surfactant solution. As mentioned above, blends of granulated calcium hypochlorite containing the surfactant may be then formed into solid articles (e.g., tablets) by suitable size-enlarging apparatus and processes. Such solid-formed article dissolves more slowly when placed in contact with water. Commercial calcium hypochlorite granules generally have a particle size distribution between about -6 and +100 U.S. Sieve Series, i.e., the granules vary in size principally between about 0.132 inches (3.36 millimeters) and about 0.006 inches (0.149 millimeters) . More commonly, the particles will have a particle size distribution between about -6 and +60 U.S. Sieve Series, i.e., between about 0.132 inches (3.36 millimeters) and about 0.0098 inches (0.250 millimeters) .

Commercially available calcium hypochlorite may vary in its composition depending on the commercial source and the process used to prepare the product . Typically, commercially available granular calcium hypochlorite contains at least 60 weight percent available chlorine (as calcium hypochlorite), e.g., between about 60 and 78 weight percent available chlorine, more particularly between about 65 and 75 weight percent available chlorine. Moisture (water) may comprise between about 1 weight percent and about 15 weight percent, more particularly between about 4 and about 10 weight percent, of the calcium hypochlorite product. The remainder of the calcium hypochlorite article of commerce is typically composed of varying amounts of residual salts, such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride, calcium hydroxide., and calcium chlorate, depending on the process used to prepare the calcium hypochlorite.

Granular calcium hypochlorite is typically sufficiently free-flowing to allow it to be introduced into conventional size-enlarging compaction devices wherein it is compacted with pressure into the shape desired (e.g., a tablet). Size-enlarging devices that may be used to prepare calcium hypochlorite articles include a molding press, tableting press, roll-type press, pellet mill, and screw extruder. These devices are known in the art. The compressed article may be prepared in any convenient desired shape or size, e.g., a brick, stick, puck, briquette, triangle, doughnut, star, pellet, tablet, and the like, depending on the intended use of the article or product differentiation desired by the manufacturer. Preferably, the shape is that of a tablet. The compressed article may typically have a mass of between about 1 gram and 500 grams, more preferably, between about 5 and 300 grams. The compressed article may be of a size which may be inserted readily into a skimmer or dissolving basket used with swimming pools or dissolvers used to form concentrated solutions of calcium hydrochlorite . In the case of a 300 gram tablet, it is preferred that the diameter of such tablet be between about 2.5 inches (6.35 centimeters) and about 3.5 inches (8.9 centimeters), e.g., between about 2.75 and 3.50 inches (7.0 and 8.9 centimeters), and be about 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5.1 centimeters), e.g., 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) thick. Alternatively, the compressed product may be partially covered with a plastic wrap to further reduce the dissolving rate of the solid disinfectant material .

Solid-formed articles, such as tablets, of compressed granular calcium hypochlorite prepared with the surfactant described hereinabove dissolve more slowly than similar tablets prepared from calcium hypochlorite that do not contain a surfactant additive when such tablets are placed in a skimmer basket used in association with swimming pools and contacted with circulating pool water. The slow dissolution of the aforesaid article thereby provides a continuous source of available chlorine for disinfecting and sanitizing pool water over the period of time required to dissolve substantially all the calcium hypochlorite tablet. Such tablets may also be used in flow-thru tablet feeders where their slower dissolving rate reduces the frequency that the feeder needs to be recharged.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surfactant may be applied to the surface of calcium hypochlorite granules in the form of a solution, emulsion or suspension. This may be accomplished by spraying the dissolved or dispersed surfactant (e.g., 1-25% by weight) onto granulates of disinfectant material and then those coated granules are preferably compressed together in tablet form.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following Examples and comparison Examples. All parts and percentages are by weight and all tempera- tures are in degrees Fahrenheit unless explicitly stated otherwise.

EXAMPLES 1-46

I. DISINFECTANTS TESTED

(1) Calcium Hypochlorite from Olin Corporation, as hth^® RG Granules containing about 68% available chlorine.

(2) Trichloroisocyanuric Acid from Olin Corporation, as OLIN CDB-90 Granules containing about 90% available chlorine. (3) Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate from Olin Corporation_τ as OLIN CDB-56 Granules containing about 56% available chlorine.

(4) Potassium Peroxymonosulfate from Hydrology Laboratories, Inc., as SWIMFREE^® RELEASE™;

31.5% active ingredient.

(5) Sodium Perborate Tetrahydrate from Aldrich Chemical Company; Catalog Number 24,412-0.

(6) 3-Bromo-l-Chloro-5, 5-Dimethylhydantoin (BCDMH) from Aldrich Chemical Company;

Catalog Number 27,711-8. URFACTANTS TESTED

(1) Sodium Lauryl Sulfate from Fisher Scientific; Catalog Number S529-500; Powder. (2) Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate from Aldrich Chemical Company; Catalog Number 86,201-0; Flakes.

(3) Sodium Octadecyl Sulfate from Aldrich Chemical Company; Catalog Number 29,394-6.

(4) Sodium Alkyl Naphthalene Sulfonate from Witco Corporation, as Petro^® 22.

(5) Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate from Pilot Chemical Company, as Calsoft P-85.

(6) Sodium Xylene Sulfonate from Aldrich Chemical Company; Catalog Number 24,307-8. (7) Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate from Aldrich Chemical Company; Catalog Number 28,995-7.

(8) Disodium Decyl Diphenyloxide Disulfonate from Dow Chemical Company, as Dowfax 3B2-D.

(9) Disodium Hexadecyl Diphenyloxide Disulfonate from Dow Chemical Company, as Dowfax 8390-D.

(10) Disodium Dodecyl Diphenyloxide Disulfonate, Linear from Olin Corporation, as Poly- Tergent^® 2A1-L. (11) Disodium Dodecyl Diphenyloxide Disulfonate, Branched from Olin Corporation, as Poly- Tergent® 2A1-B.

(12) Calcium Dodecyl Diphenyloxide Disulfonate, Linear from Olin Corporation, as Poly-

Tergent^® 2A1-LCA.

(13) Stearyldimethylbenzyl Ammonium Chloride from Ferrosan Fine Chemicals A/S.

(14) Trimethylstearyl Ammonium Chloride from Ferrosan Fine Chemicals A/S.

(15) Blocked Copolymer of Ethylene Oxide/Propylene Oxide from BASF Corporation, as Pluronic®F38, Pluronic® F98, Pluronic® F127.

(16) Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine from Mi anol Inc., as Mirataine^® CBS; 43% active ingredient-applied as spray on 100% active basis. III. PREPARATION OF SOLID DISINFECTANT HAVING A SURFACTANT DISPERSED THEREIN A. DISPERSION PROCEDURE

The anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants were hand-blended as small particle-sized solids with the solid disinfectant material for about two minutes, followed by blending for about 20 minutes at 30 rpm with a V-shaped commercially-available blender (Model 014-215-0053; Bison Gear and Engineering Corporation) . The amphoteric surfactants were spray-misted as aqueous solutions onto the solid disinfectant material using a specially-designed laboratory apparatus. B. COMPACTION PROCEDURE

The above-described dispersion was compacted with pressure into a 1-inch diameter, 20-gram tablet or a 3 -inch diameter, 300-gram tablet having a puck shape. For the 1-inch tablets, a Carver Laboratory Press (Model B) at 2.5 tons compression was used. For the 3 -inch tablets, a Wabash Metal Products Press (Model 25-1212-SMBX) at 25 tons compression was used.

IV. TABLET TESTING PROCEDURE

Testing of the tablets, comprising a solid disinfectant material having a surfactant dispersed therein, was performed in a skimmer and/or a floater in a 6,800-gallon swimming pool equipped with a sand filter. When testing one- inch tablets, the pool water was circulated continuously at 20 gallons per minute. When testing three-inch tablets, the pool water was circulated for 8 hours at 30 gallons per minute, followed by 16 hours not circulating. The temperature in the pool water was maintained at 80-84°F during the test period. Dissolving times for the test tablets were noted and compared to control tablets that did not contain a surfactant.

V. TEST RESULTS

TABLE I shows the dissolving times of one-inch diameter tablets made with calcium hypochlorite with and without a variety of anionic, cationic, nonionic, and amphoteric surfactants. As can be seen from the results, the comparison test with no surfactant present showed that a pure calcium hypochlorite tablet dissolved at a relatively fast rate. The comparison test with 1% by-weight surfactant present significantly extended the dissolving time. TABLE II shows the dissolving times of three-inch diameter tablets^""made with calcium hypochlorite with and without surfactants . As can be seen from the results, the comparison test with no surfactant present showed that a pure calcium hypochlorite tablet dissolved at a relatively fast rate. The comparison tests with surfactant present significantly extended the dissolving times. Using sodium lauryl sulfate as the surfactant, the dissolving time increased as the surfactant concentration increased.

TABLE III shows the dissolving times of one-inch diameter tablets made with various disinfectants, other than calcium hypochlorite, with sodium lauryl sulfate. As can be seen from the results, the comparison test with no surfactant present showed that a pure disinfectant tablet dissolved at a relatively fast rate. The comparison tests with surfactant present significantly extended the dissolving times.

TABLE I DISSOLVING TIMES FOR ONE-INCH DIAMETER CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE TABLETS CONTAINING VARIOUS SURFACTANTS

EXAMPLE SURFACTANT CONCENTRATION and NAME APPROXIMATE DISSOLVING TIME

(hours) SKIMMER FLOATER

10 1 NONE ANIONIC SURFACTANTS

2 1% Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (flakes) 26 26

- σs 15

3 1% Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (powder) 26 27

4 1% Sodium Octadecyl Sulfate 25 25

20 5 1% Sodium Octyl Sulfate 8 25

6 1% Sodium Alkyl Naphthalene Sulfonate (Petro® 22) 8 25

7 1% Sodium Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate (Calsoft P-85) 7 24

25

8 1% Sodium Xylene Sulfonate 6 9

9 1% Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate 7 24

10 1% Disodium Decyl Diphenyloxide Disulfonate

(Dowfax 3B2-D) 8 9

5

11 1% Disodium Hexadecyl Diphenyloxide Disulfonate

(Dowfax 8390-D) 8 27

12 1% Disodium Dodecyl Diphenyloxide Disulfonate,

10 Linear (Poly-Tergent® 2A1-L) 8 25

13 1% Disodium Dodecyl Diphenyloxide Disulfonate, ' Branched (Poly-Tergent^® 2A1-B) 9 25

_^_ 15 14 1% Calcium Dodecyl Diphenyloxide Disulfonate,

^ Linear (Poly-Tergent^® 2A1-LCA) 7 24

I

CATIONIC SURFACTANTS 20 15 1% Stearyldimethylbenzl Ammonium Chloride 6 10

16 1% Trimethylstearyl Ammonium Chloride 6 10

NONIONIC SURFACTANTS

25

17 1% Blocked Copolymer of Ethylene Oxide/Propylene

Oxide (Pluoronic® F38) 7 13

18 1% Blocked Copolymer of Ethylene Oxide/Propylene

Oxide (Pluronic® F98)

19 1% Blocked Copolymer of Ethylene Oxide/Propylene Oxide (Pluronic® F127) 8 9

AMPHOTERIC SURFACTANTS

20 1% Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine (Mirataine® CBS) N.T. 12

10

N.T. = Not tested ,

o

I

TABLE II

DISSOLVING TIMES FOR THREE-INCH DIAMETER CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE

TABLETS CONTAINING VARIOUS SURFACTANTS

EXAMPLE SURFACTANT CONCENTRATION and NAME APPROXIMATE DISSOLVING TIME 0 (days) SKIMMER FLOATER

21 NONE 0.15 0.42 5 ANIONIC SURFACTANTS

22 0.1% Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (powder) 1 2

23 0.25% Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (powder) 1.3 2 0

24 0.5% Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (powder) 2.5 3

25 1.0% Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (powder) 3 3.5 5 26 2.5% Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (powder) 5 N.T.

27 10.0% Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (powder) 14 N.T.¹⁷

= only 50% dissolved after 14 days,

28 1% Sodium Alkyl Naphthalene Sulfonate (Petro® 22) 1 1

29 1% Disodium Decyl Diphenyloxide Disulfonate

(Dowfax 3B2-D) 2 3

30 1% Sodium Xylene Sulfonate 1 1.5

31 1% Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate 0.3 1.5

10

32 1% Disodium Hexadecyl Diphenyloxide Disulfonate

(Dowfax 8390-D) 1.5 2 ,

NONIONIC SURFACTANTS i- 15 o

33 1% Blocked Copolymer of Ethylene Oxide/Propylene

Oxide (Pluronic® F38) 0.3

34 1% Blocked Copolymer of Ethylene Oxide/Propylene

20 Oxide (Pluronic® F98) 0.3

35 1% Blocked Copolymer of Ethylene Oxide/Propylene

Oxide (Pluronic® F127) 0.3

25

N . T . = Not tested

TABLE III

DISSOLVING TIMES FOR ONE-INCH DIAMETER DISINFECTANT

TABLETS CONTAINING SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE

EXAMPLE DISINFECTANT SURFACTANT APPROXIMATE DISSOLVING TIMES CONCENTRATION (Time; % Dissolved) SKIMMER FLOATER

36 Trichloroisocyanuric Acid 0 51 Hours; 98% 51 Hours; 94%

37 Trichloroisocyanuric Acid 10.0 51 Hours; 44% 51 Hours; 15%

38 Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate 0 20 Minutes; 100% 20 Minutes; 100%

39 Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate 1.5 60 Minutes; 100% 65 Minutes; 100%

40 Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate 2.5 65 Minutes; 100% 70 Minutes; 100%

41 Potassium Peroxymonosulfate 0 40 Minutes; 100% 45 Minutes; 100%

42 Potassium Peroxymonosulfate 1.5 5.5 Hours; 100% 5.5 Hours; 100%

43 Sodium Perborate Tetrahydrate 0 5 Hours; 100% 6 Hours; 95%

44 Sodium Perborate Tetrahydrate 1.5 6 Hours; 95% 6 Hours; 70%

45 BCDMH 0 45 Hours; 50% 45 House; 60%

46 BCDMH 10 45 Hours; 40% 45 Hours; 20%

While the invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is apparent that many changes, modifications, and variations can be made without departing from the inventive concept disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such changes, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A solid disinfectant material having dispersed therein an effective dissolving-rate-controlling amount of a surfactant .

2. The solid disinfectant material of claim 1 wherein said solid disinfectant material is a solid halogen-containing disinfectant material.

3. The solid disinfectant material of claim 2 wherein said solid halogen-containing disinfectant material is selected from the group consisting of calcium hypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite, magnesium hypochlorite, chlorinated isocyanuric acids and salts thereof, halogenated hydantoins, sodium N-chloro-p- toluenesulfonamide, N,N-dichloro-p-toluenesulfonamide, N-halo-2-oxazolidinones, N-N' -dihalo-2-imidazolidinones and halogenated glycolurils.

4. The solid disinfectant material of claim 3 wherein said disinfectant material is calcium hypochlorite .

5. The solid disinfectant material of claim 3 wherein said surfactant is present in an amount from about 0.01 to about 50% by weight, based on the combined weight of said disinfectant material and said surfactant .

6. The solid disinfectant material of claim 1 wherein said surfactant is an anionic surfactant .

7. The solid disinfectant material of claim 6 wherein said anionic surfactant is a sulfate anionic surfactant.

8. The solid disinfectant material of claim 7 wherein said sulfate anionic surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfate.

9. The solid disinfectant material of any of the above claims wherein said solid disinfectant material is a compressed article.

10. The solid-formed article of claim 9 wherein said compressed article is a tablet.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 14 October 1998 (14.10.98); original claims 1-10 amended: new claims 11-46 added (6 pages)]

1. A composition comprising a mixture of a solid "disinfectant material and an effective dissolving-rate-controlling amount of surfactant or mixture of surfactants, said composition not containing any other dissolving-rate-controlling additive .

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein said solid disinfectant material is a solid halogen-containing disinfectant material .

3. The composition of claim 2 wherein said solid halogen-containing disinfectant material is selected from the group consisting of calcium hypochlorite, lithium, hypochlorite, magnesium hypochlorite, chlorinated isocyanuric acids and salts thereof, halogenated hydantoins, sodium N-chloro-p-toluenesulfonamide, N,N-dichloro-p-toluenesulfonamide. N-halo-2-oxaxolidinones, N,N' -dihalo-2-imidazolidinones and halogenated glycolurils.

4. The composition of claim 1 wherein said disinfectant material is a hypochlorite .

5. The composition of claim 4 wherein said hypochlorite is calcium hypochlorite.

6. The composition of claim 1 wherein said surfactant or mixture of surfactants is present in an amount from about 0.01 to about 50% by weight, based on the combined weight of said disinfectant material and said surfactant or mixture of surfactants .

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein said surfactant or mixture- of surfactants comprises an anionic surfactant .

8. The composition of claim 7 wherein said anionic surfactant is a sulfate anionic surfactant.

9. The composition of claim 8 wherein said sulfate anionic surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfate.

10. A solid-formed article comprising a compressed composition of claim 1.

11. The solid-formed article of claim 10 wherein said solid disinfectant material is a solid halogen-containing disinfectant material.

12. The solid-formed article of claim 11 wherein the solid halogen-containing disinfectant material is selected from the group consisting of calcium hypochlorite, lithium, hypochlorite, magnesium hypochlorite, chlorinated isocyanuric acids and salts thereof, halogenated hydantoins, sodium N-chloro-p-toluenesulfonamide, N,N-dichloro-p-toluenesulfonamide, N-halo-2 -oxazolidinones , N,N' -dihalo-2-imidazolidinones, and halogenated glycolurils .

13. The solid-formed article of claim 11 wherein said solid halogen-containing disinfectant material is hypochlorite.

14. The solid-formed article of claim 13 wherein said hypochlorite is calcium hypochlorite.

15. The solid-formed article of claim 10 wherein said surfactant or mixture of surfactants is present in an amount from about 0.01 to about 50% by weight, based on the total weight of said disinfectant material and said surfactant or mixture of surfactants.

16. The solid-formed article of claim 10 wherein said surfactant or mixture of surfactants comprises an anionic surfactant.

17. The solid-formed article of claim 16 wherein said anionic surfactant is a sulfate anionic surfactant.

18. The solid-formed article of claim 17 wherein said sulfate anionic surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfate.

19. The solid-formed article of claim 10 wherein the formed article is in the shape of a brick, stick, puck, briquette, triangle, doughnut, star, pellet or tablet.

20. A composition comprising a mixture of calcium hypochlorite and an effective dissolving-rate-controlling amount of an anionic surfactant or mixture of anionic surfactants, said composition having about 99.9 to about 95 parts by weight calcium hypochlorite and about 0.1 to about 5 parts by weight of the anionic surfactant or mixture of anionic surf ctants .

21. The composition of claim 20 wherein the anionic surfactant or mixture of anionic surfactants comprises a sulfate anionic surfactant.

22. The composition of claim 21 wherein the sulfate anionic surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfate.

23. The composition of claim 20 wherein the composition does not contain any other dissolving-rate-controlling additive .

24. A solid-formed article comprising a compressed composition of claim 20.

25. A solid-formed article comprising a compressed composition of claim 21.

26. A solid-formed article comprising a compressed composition of claim 22.

27. The solid-formed article of claim 26 wherein said formed article is in the shape of a brick, stick, puck, briquette, triangle, doughnut, star, pellet or tablet.

28. A solid-formed article comprising a compressed composition of claim 23.

29. The compressed composition of claim 10 which is partially covered with a plastic wrap.

30. The compressed composition of claim 24 which is partially covered with a plastic wrap.

31. A composition comprising a mixture of a solid disinfectant material granules and an effective dissolving-rate-controlling amount of a surfactant or mixture of surfactants, and wherein said surfactant or mixture of surfactants is applied to the surface of the solid disinfectant material granules .

32. The composition of claim 31 wherein said solid disinfectant material granules is solid halogen-containing disinfectant material granules.

33. The composition of claim 32 wherein said solid halogen-containing disinfectant material granules are calcium hypochlorite.

34. The composition of claim 33 wherein said surfactant or mixture of surfactants comprises an anionic surfactant.

35. The composition of claim 34 wherein said anionic surfactant is a sulfate anionic surfactant.

36. The composition of claim 35 wherein said sulfate anionic surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfate.

37. The composition of claim 31 wherein said composition does not contain any other dissolving-rate-controlling additive .

38. The composition of claim 34 wherein said composition comprises about 99.9 to about 95 parts by weight calcium hypochlorite granules and about 0.1 to about 5 parts by weight of anionic surfactant or mixture of anionic surfactants.

39. The composition of claim 38 wherein said anionic sur actant or mixture _of anionic surfactants comprises a sulfate anionic surfactant.

40. The composition of claim 39 wherein said sulfate anionic surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfate.

41. A process of treating a body of water comprising contacting said body of water with an effective disinfecting amount of the composition of claim 1.

42. The process of treating a body of water of claim 41 wherein said body of water is swimming pool water.

43. A process of treating a body of water comprising contacting said body of water with an effective disinfecting amount of the composition of claim 20.

44. The process of treating a body of water of claim 43 wherein said body of water is swimming pool water.

45. A process of treating a body of water with a composition comprising a mixture of a solid disinfectant material and an effective dissolving-rate-controlling amount of a surfactant or mixture of surfactants, wherein said body of water is not used in toilet bowls .

46. The process of treating a body of water of claim 45 wherein said body of water is a pool, hot tub, spa, health-relating bath or water cooling/heating system.