Improved urinal block composition

• US 5,336,424 A
• Filed: 04/12/1993
• Issued: 08/09/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eftichios Van Vlahakis, John A. Manolas, Michael J. Marrese
• Original Assignee: Eftichios Van Vlahakis, John A. Manolas, Michael J. Marrese
• Inventors: Manolas, John A., Marrese, Michael J., Van Vlahakis, Eftichios
• Primary Examiner(s): Skaling, Linda
• Assistant Examiner(s): TIERNEY, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/045,939
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 4/309, 4/222, 252/89.1, 252/93, 252/106, 252/174, 252/174.12, 252/174.21
• US Class Current: 510/101
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/66 Non-ionic compounds C11D1/002, C11D1/004, C11D1/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/72 Ethers of polyoxyalkylene glycols
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/90 Betaines
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/94 Mixtures with anionic, cationic or non-ionic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/0056 Lavatory cleansing blocks
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/042 Acids
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/38609 Protease or amylase in solid compositions only
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/48 Medical, disinfecting agents, disinfecting, antibacterial, germicidal or antimicrobial compositions

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved urinal block composition comprised of fluid-soluble chemical components, and an improved dispenser to be used with that urinal block. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a unique combination of chemicals that when blended together to form a urinal block composition yields a stable product that is effective at deodorizing and cleaning urinals and toilets. The improvement of using an acid stable protease enzyme with the other fluid-soluble chemical components of the urinal block composition provides the advantage of dissolving and otherwise neutralizing odors associated with urinals and toilets. The urinal block is retained in and dispensable from a disposable dispenser assembly 10 for use in urinals and toilets. The urinal block is protected from direct action of urine by a retention cup 18 which retains the chemical block composition 32 in position, and the inner hollow area 12 of the dispenser 10 allows the dispenser 10 to fit around strainers found in urinals. The dispenser has a perforated flange 20 that supports the hollow area 12 and retention cup 18 within the urinal, while also allowing for effective drainage.

Claims

1. An improved urinal block composition comprising:

a. a mineral acid in an amount of from about 3.0% to about 8.0% by weight of said composition;

b. an acid stable protease in an amount sufficient to have a theoretical yield of 200 Acid Stable Protease Units Per Gram (ASPu/gm) and in an amount of from about 3.0% to about 8.0% by weight of 5000 Acid Stable Protease Units Per Gram (ASPu/gm);

c. an amphoteric surfactant in an amount of from about 2.0% to about 4.0% by weight of said composition and in an amount sufficient to increase wetting properties;

d. a non-ionic surfactant in an amount of from about 50.0% to about 70.0% by weight of said composition, and containing a sufficient amount of ethylene oxide to provide a urinal block melting point above approximately 100°

F.; and

,

e. a germicide in an effective amount to reduce the bacterial count wherein the pH ranges from 6.5 to about 1.8.

2. The improved urinal block composition of claim 1 including a starch.

3. The improved urinal block composition of claim 2 wherein said starch is corn starch.

4. The improved urinal block composition of claim 1 including an essential oil in an effective amount.

5. The improved urinal block composition of claim 4 wherein said essential oil is selected from the group consisting of cinnamon, green apple, citrus, baby powder, herbal, spice and jasmine.

6. The improved urinal block composition of claim 1 including a dye.

7. The improved urinal block composition of claim 6 wherein said dye is stable in acids.

8. The improved urinal block composition of claim 6 wherein said dye is rhodamine.

9. The improved urinal block composition of claim 1 wherein said acid is phosphoric acid.

10. The improved urinal block composition of claim 8 wherein said acid is in an amount sufficient to achieve a pH of from about 3.0 to about 5.0.

11. The improved urinal block composition of claim 1 wherein said amphoteric surfactant is cocoamidopropyl betaine.

12. The improved urinal block composition of claim 1 wherein said non-ionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of nonylphenol and nonoxynol.

13. The improved urinal block composition of claim 1 wherein said non-ionic surfactant contains a sufficient amount of ethylene oxide to provide a melting point in the range of from about 100°

F. to about 150°

F.

14. The improved urinal block composition of claim 1 wherein said germicide is didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride.

15. The improved urinal block composition of claim 1 wherein said urinal block is adapted to be retained in and dispensable from a disposable assembly.

16. An improved urinal block composition comprising:

a. an organic acid in an amount sufficient to achieve a pH of from 6.5 to about 1.8

b. an effective amount an acid stable protease;

c. an amphoteric surfactant in an amount of from about 2.0% to about 4% by weight of said composition and in an amount sufficient to increase wetting properties;

d. a non-ionic surfactant in an amount of from about 50.0% to about 70.0% by weight of said composition, and containing a sufficient amount of ethylene oxide to provide a urinal block melting point above approximately 100°

F.;

e. a germicide in an amount sufficient to reduce the bacterial count;

f. a starch;

g. an essential oil; and

,

h. a dye wherein the pH ranges from 6.5 to about 1.8.

17. An improved urinal block composition comprising:

a. an organic acid in an amount of from about 3.0% to about 8.0% by weight of said composition;

b. an acid stable protease in an amount sufficient to have a theoretical yield of 200 Acid Stable Protease Units Per Gram (ASPu/gm) and in an amount of from about 3.0% to about 8.0% by weight of 5000 Acid Stable Protease Units Per Gram (ASPu/gm);

c. an amphoteric surfactant in an amount of from about 2.0% to about 4.0% by weight of said composition and in an amount sufficient to increase wetting properties;

d. a non-ionic surfactant in an amount of from about 50.0% to about 70.0% by weight of said composition, and containing a sufficient amount of ethylene oxide to provide a urinal block melting point above approximately 100°

F.; and

,

e. a germicide in an effective amount to reduce the bacterial count wherein the pH ranges from 6.5 to about 1.8.

18. An improved urinal block composition comprising:

a. phosphoric acid in an amount sufficient to achieve a pH of from 6.5 to about 1.8;

b. an effective amount of an acid stable protease;

c. an amphoteric surfactant in an amount of from about 2.0% to about 4% by weight of said composition and in an amount sufficient to increase wetting properties;

d. a non-ionic surfactant in an amount of from about 50.0% to about 70.0% by weight of said composition, and containing a sufficient amount of ethylene oxide to provide a urinal block melting point above approximately 100°

F.;

e. a germicide in an amount sufficient to reduce the bacterial count;

f. a starch;

g. an essential oil; and

,

h. a dye wherein the pH ranges from 6.5 to about 1.8.

19. An improved urinal block composition comprising:

a. an organic acid in an amount of from about 3.0% to about 8.0% by weight of said composition;

b. an acid stable protease in an amount sufficient to have a theoretical yield of 200 Acid Stable Protease Units Per Gram (ASPu/gm) and in an amount of from about 3.0% to about 8.0% by weight of 5000 Acid Stable Protease Units Per Gram (ASPu/gm);

c. an amphoteric surfactant selected from the group consisting of cocoamidopropyl betaine, said amphoteric surfactant in an amount of from about 2.0% to about 4.0% by weight of said composition and in an amount sufficient to increase wetting properties;

d. a non-ionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of nonylphenol and nonoxynol, said non-ionic surfactant in an amount of from about 50.0% to about 70.0% by weight of said composition, and containing a sufficient amount of ethylene oxide to provide a urinal block melting point above approximately 100°

F.;

e. a germicide selected from the group consisting of didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, said germicide in an effective amount to reduce the bacterial count;

f. an effective amount of starch selected from the group consisting of corn starch;

g. an effective amount of essential oil selected from the group consisting of cinnamon, green apple, citrus, baby powder, herbal, spice, and jasmine; and

,

h. an effective amount of a dye selected from the group consisting of rhodamine, said dye being stable in acid wherein the pH ranges from 6.5 to about 1.8.

20. An improved urinal block composition comprising:

a. a mineral acid in an amount of from about 3.0% to about 8.0% by weight of said composition;

b. an acid stable protease in an amount sufficient to have a theoretical yield of 200 Acid Stable Protease Units Per Gram (APSu/gm) and in an amount of from about 3.0% to about 8.0% by weight of 5000 Acid Stable Protease Units Per Gram (ASPu/gm);

c. an amphoteric surfactant selected from the group consisting of cocoamidopropyl betaine, said amphoteric surfactant in an amount of from about 2.0% to about 4.0% by weight of said composition and in an amount sufficient to increase wetting properties;

d. a non-ionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of nonylphenol and nonoxynol, said non-ionic surfactant in an amount of from about 50.0% to about 70.0% by weight of said composition, and containing a sufficient amount of ethylene oxide to provide a urinal block melting point above approximately 100°

F.;

e. a germicide selected from the group consisting of didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, said germicide in an effective amount to reduce the bacterial count;

f. an effective amount of starch selected from the group consisting of corn starch;

g. an effective amount of essential oil selected from the group consisting of cinnamon, green apple, citrus, baby powder, herbal, spice, and jasmine; and

,

h. an effective amount of a dye selected from the group consisting of rhodamine, said dye being stable in acid wherein the pH ranges from 6.5 to about 1.8.

21. The improved urinal block composition of claim 20 wherein said mineral acid is phosphoric acid.