A cleaning wipe comprising a nonwoven fabric wherein the nonwoven fabric is impregnated with a cleaning composition.

The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric which has been impregnated with a liquid cleaning composition.
The patent literature describes numerous wipes for both body cleaning and cleaning of hard surfaces but none describe the instant cleaning wipes which have improved cleaning characteristics in the minimization of streaking and residue.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,756,612; 5,763,332; 5,908,707; 5,914,177; 5,980,922 and 6,168,852 teach cleaning compositions which are inverse emulsions.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,183,315 and 6,183,763 teach cleaning compositions containing a proton donating agent and having an acidic pH.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,863,663; 5,952,043; 6,063,746 and 6,121,165 teaches cleaning compositions which are out in water emulsions.
A cleaning wipe for cleaning hard surfaces such as walls, counter tops and floors comprises a nonwoven fabric containing at least polyester fibers and viscose fibers, wherein is the nonwoven fabric is impregnated with a liquid cleaning composition containing a zwifterionic surfactant, at least one nonionic surfactant, a disinfecting agent, a cosurfactant, an alkanol, optionally, an anionic surfactant, optionally, a proton donating agent and water, wherein the liquid cleaning composition is not an emulsion and does not contain proteins, metallic salts, enzymes, amides, sodium hypochlorite, dimethicone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, monoalkyl phosphate or silicon based sulfosuccinate.
The present invention relates to an antibacterial cleaning wipe for hard surfaces which comprises approximately:
(a) 20 wt. % to 30 wt. % of a nonwoven fabric which consists of at least polyester fibers and viscose fibers and preferably consists of 60 wt. % to 95 wt. % of wood pulp fibers, 2.5 wt. % to 20 wt. % of viscose fibers and 2.5 wt. % to 20 wt. % of polyester fibers; and
(b) 70 wt. % to 80 wt. % of a liquid cleaning composition being impregnated in said nonwoven fabric, wherein said liquid cleaning composition comprises:
(i) 0.1 wt. % to 10 wt. %, more preferably 0.25 wt. % to 8 wt. % of a zwitterionic surfactant;
(ii) 0 to 6 wt. %, more preferably 0.25 wt. % to 4 wt. % of a C1-C4 alkanol;
(iii) 1 wt. % to 10 wt. %, more preferably 1.5 wt. % to 8 wt. % of a blend of water soluble glycol ethers;
(iv) 0 to 4 wt. %, more preferably 0.1 wt. % to 1 wt. % of a disinfecting agent such as a perfume, essential oil or triclosan;
(v) 0.5 wt. % to 10 wt. % of a nonionic surfactant formed from a C8-C18 alkanol and about 6 to about 9, preferably about 7 to about 8.5 moles of ethylene oxide;
(vi) 0.1% to 4% of an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant formed from a C9-C11 alkanol and about 2 to about 3 moles of ethylene oxide;
(vii) 0 to 6 wt. %, more preferably 0.1 wt. % to 5 wt. % of an anionic surfactant;
(viii) 0 to 0.2 wt. %, more preferably 0.05 wt. % to 0.2 wt. % of a proton donating agent;
(ix) 0 to 0.3 wt. %, more preferably 0.05 wt. % to 0.2 wt. % of an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide;
(x) 0.01 wt. % to 0.1 wt. % of a preservative such as 2bromo-2nitro propane-1,3 diol; and
(xi) the balance being water, wherein the composition has a pH of about 5.25 to about 7.
The water-soluble zwitterionic surfactant (betaine), which is used in the instant cleaning composition and provides good foaming properties and mildness to the composition. The zwitterionic surfactant is a water soluble betaine having the general formula:
wherein Xxe2x88x92 is selected from the group consisting of SO3xe2x88x92 and CO2xe2x88x92 and R1 is an alkyl group having 10 to about 20 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 16 carbon atoms, or the amido radical:
wherein R is an alkyl group having about 9 to 19 carbon atoms and a is the integer 1 to 4; R2 and R3 are each alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbons and preferably 1 carbon; R4 is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and, optionally, one hydroxyl group. Typical alkyidimethyl betaines include decyl dimethyl betaine or 2-(N-decyl-N, N-dimethyl-ammonia) acetate, coco dimethyl betaine or 2-(N-coco N, N-dimethylammonia) acetate, myristyl dimethyl betaine, palmityl dimethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl betaine, stearyl dimethyl betaine, etc. The amidobetaines similarly include cocoamidoethylbetaine, cocoamidopropyl betaine and the like. A preferred betaine is coco (C8-C18) amidopropyl dimethyl betaine.
As used herein and in the appended claims the term xe2x80x9cperfumexe2x80x9d is used in its ordinary sense to refer to and include any non-water soluble fragrant substance or mixture of substances including natural (i.e., obtained by extraction of flower, herb, blossom or plant), artificial (i.e., mixture of natural oils or oil constituents) and synthetically produced substance) odoriferous substances. Typically, perfumes are complex mixtures of blends of various organic compounds such as alcohols, aldehydes, ethers, aromatic compounds and varying amounts of essential oils (e.g., terpenes) such as from 0% to 80%, usually from 10% to 70% by weight, the essential oils themselves being volatile odoriferous compounds and also serving to dissolve the other components of the perfume.
In the present invention the precise composition of the perfume is of no particular consequence to cleaning performance so long as it meets the criteria of water immiscibility and having a pleasing odor. Naturally, of course, especially for cleaning compositions intended for use in the home, the perfume, as well as all other ingredients, should be cosmetically acceptable, i.e., non-toxic, hypoallergenic, etc. The instant compositions show a marked improvement in ecotoxocity as compared to existing commercial products.
The water soluble nonionic surfactants utilized in this invention are commercially well known and include the primary aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates, secondary aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates, alkylphenol ethoxylates and ethylene-oxide-propylene oxide condensates on primary alkanols, such a Plurafacs (BASF) and condensates of ethylene oxide with sorbitan fatty acid esters such as the Tweens (ICI). The nonionic synthetic organic detergents generally are the condensation products of an organic aliphatic or alkyl aromatic hydrophobic compound and hydrophilic ethylene oxide groups. Practically any hydrophobic compound having a carboxy, hydroxy, amido, or amino group with a free hydrogen attached to the nitrogen can be condensed with ethylene oxide or with the polyhydration product thereof, polyethylene glycol, to form a water-soluble nonionic detergent. Further, the length of the polyethenoxy chain can be adjusted to achieve the desired balance between the hydrophobic and hydrophilic elements.
The nonionic detergent class includes the condensation products of a higher alcohol (e.g., an alkanol containing about 8 to 18 carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain configuration) condensed with about 5 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide, for example, lauryl or myristyl alcohol condensed with about 16 moles of ethylene oxide (EO), tridecanol condensed with about 6 to moles of EO, myristyl alcohol condensed with about 10 moles of EO per mole of myristyl alcohol, the condensation product of EO with a cut of coconut fatty alcohol containing a mixture of fatty alcohols with alkyl chains varying from 10 to about 14 carbon atoms in length and wherein the condensate contains either about 6 moles of EO per mole of total alcohol or about 9 moles of EO per mole of alcohol and tallow alcohol ethoxylates containing 6 EO to 11 EO per mole of alcohol.
A preferred group of the foregoing nonionic surfactants are the Neodol ethoxylates (Shell Co.), which are higher aliphatic, primary alcohol containing about 9-15 carbon atoms, such as C9-C11 alkanol condensed with 2.5 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide (NEODOL 91-2.5 or -5 or -6 or -8), C12-13 alkanol condensed with 6.5 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol 23-6.5), C12-15 alkanol condensed with 12 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol 25-12), C14-15 alkanol condensed with 13 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol 45-13), and the like.
An especially preferred nonionic system comprises the mixture of a nonionic surfactant formed from a C9-C11 alkanol condensed with 2 to 3.5 moles of ethylene oxide (C9-11 alcohol EO 2 to 3.5:1) with a nonionic surfactant formed from a C9-C11 alkanol condensed with 7 to 9 moles of ethylene oxide (C9-C11 alcohol EO 7 to 9:1), wherein the weight ratio of the C9-C11 alcohol EO 7 to 9:1 to the C9-C11 alcohol EO 2 to 3.5:1 is from 8:1 to 1:1 from preferably 6:1 to 3:1.
Additional satisfactory water soluble alcohol ethylene oxide condensates are the condensation products of a secondary aliphatic alcohol containing 8 to 18 carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain configuration condensed with 5 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of commercially available nonionic detergents of the foregoing type are C11-C15 secondary alkanol condensed with either 9 EO (Tergitol 15-S-9) or 12 EO (Tergitol 15-S-12) marketed by Union Carbide.
Other suitable nonionic detergents include the polyethylene oxide condensates of one mole of alkyl phenol containing from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms in a straight- or branched chain alkyl group with about 5 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide. Specific examples of alkyl phenol ethoxylates include nonyl phenol condensed with about 9.5 moles of EO per mole of nonyl phenol, dinonyl phenol condensed with about 12 moles of EO per mole of phenol, dinonyl phenol condensed with about 15 moles of EO per mole of phenol and di-isoctylphenol condensed with about 15 moles of EO per mole of phenol. Commercially available nonionic surfactants of this type include Igepal CO-630 (nonyl phenol ethoxylate) marketed by GAF Corporation.
Also among the satisfactory nonionic detergents are the water-soluble condensation products of a C8-C20 alkanol with a heteric mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide wherein the weight ratio of ethylene oxide to propylene oxide is from 2.5:1 to 4:1, preferably 2.8:1 to 3.3:1, with the total of the ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (including the terminal ethanol or propanol group) being from 60-85%, preferably 70-80%, by weight. Such detergents are commercially available from BASF-Wyandotte and a particularly preferred detergent is a C10-C16 alkanol condensate with ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, the weight ratio of ethylene oxide to propylene oxide being 3:1 and the total alkoxy content being about 75% by weight.
Condensates of 2 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide with sorbitan mono- and tri-C10-C20 alkanoic acid esters having a HLB of 8 to 15 also may be employed as the nonionic detergent ingredient in the described composition. These surfactants are well known and are available from Imperial Chemical Industries under the Tween trade name. Suitable surfactants include polyoxyethylene (4) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (4) sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan trioleate and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan tristearate.
Other suitable water-soluble nonionic detergents are marketed under the trade name xe2x80x9cPluronicsxe2x80x9d. The compounds are formed by condensing ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol. The molecular weight of the hydrophobic portion of the molecule is of the order of 950 to 4000 and preferably 200 to 2,500. The addition of polyoxyethylene radicals to the hydrophobic portion tends to increase the solubility of the molecule as a whole so as to make the surfactant water-soluble. The molecular weight of the block polymers varies from 1,000 to 15,000 and the polyethylene oxide content may comprise 20% to 80% by weight. Preferably, these surfactants will be in liquid form and satisfactory surfactants are available as grades L 62 and L 64.
The preferred anionic surfactant used in the instant composition is a paraffin sulfonates containing 10 to 20, preferably 13 to 17 carbon atoms. Primary paraffin sulfonates are made by reacting long-chain alpha olefins and bisulfites and paraffin sulfonates having the sulfonate group distributed along the paraffin chain are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,503,280; 2,507,088; 3,260,744; 3,372,188 and German Patent 735,096.
The cosurfactants in the instant compositions are selected from the group consisting of polypropylene glycol of the formula HO(CH3CHCH2O)nH wherein n is a number from 1 to 18, and mono and di C1-C6 alkyl ethers and esters of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol having the structural formulas R(X)nOH, R1(X)nOH, R(X)nOR and R1(X)nOR1 wherein R is C1-C6 alkyl group, R1 is C2-C4 acyl group, X is (OCH2CH2) or (OCH2(CH3)CH) and n is a number from 1 to 4, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, an alkyl lactate, wherein the alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, 1 methoxy-2-propanol, 1 methoxy-3-propanol, and 1 methoxy 2-, 3- or 4-butanol.
Representative members of the polypropylene glycol include dipropylene glycol and polypropylene glycol having a molecular weight of 150 to 1000, e.g., polypropylene glycol 400. Satisfactory glycol ethers are ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (butyl cellosolve), diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (butyl carbitol), triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, mono, di, tri propylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol monobutyl ether, mono, di, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monohexyl ether, diethylene glycol monohexyl ether, propylene glycol tertiary butyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monopentyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monopropyl ether, diethylene glycol monopentyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monoethyl ether, triethylene glycol monopropyl ether, triethylene glycol monopentyl ether, triethylene glycol monohexyl ether, mono, di, tripropylene glycol monoethyl ether, mono, di tripropylene glycol monopropyl ether, mono, di, tripropylene glycol monopentyl ether, mono, di, tripropylene glycol monohexyl ether, mono, di, tributylene glycol mono methyl ether, mono, di, tributylene glycol monoethyl ether, mono, di, tributylene glycol monopropyl ether, mono, di, tributylene glycol monobutyl ether, mono, di, tributylene glycol monopentyl ether and mono, di, tributylene glycol monohexyl ether, ethylene glycol monoacetate and dipropylene glycol propionate. While all of the aforementioned glycol ether compounds provide the described stability, the most preferred cosurfactant is propylene glycol N-butyl ether.
The preferred C1-C4 alkanols are ethanol or isopropanol and mixtures thereof.
The proton donating agent that can be used in the instant composition is selected from the group consisting of organic acids and inorganic acids and mixtures thereof. The organic acids are selected from the group consisting of mono- and di-aliphatic carboxylic acids and hydroxy containing organic acids and mixtures thereof. Typical organic acids are adipic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, tartaric acid and ortho hydroxy benzoic acid. Typical inorganic acids are sulfuric acid, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid.
The final essential ingredient in the instant composition is water. The proportion of water in the compositions generally is in the range of 70 wt. % to 98.5 wt. %.
The cleaning composition of this invention may, if desired, also contain other components either to provide additional effect or to make the product more attractive to the consumer. The following are mentioned by way of example: Colors or dyes in amounts up to 0.5% by weight; preservatives or antioxidizing agents, such as iodo propynyl butyl carbamate, formalin, 5-bromo-5-nitro-dioxan-1,3; 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothaliazolin-3-one, 2,6-di-tert.butyl-p-cresol, etc., in amounts up to 2% by weight; and pH adjusting agents, such as sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide, as needed.
The cleaning compositions are prepared by simple batch mixing at 25xc2x0 C.-30xc2x0 C. The nonwoven fabric is impregnated with the liquid cleaning composition by means of a positive impregnation process. The liquid is positively fed into the nonwoven fabric through a controlled gear pump and injection bar at a ratio of about 2.5 to 3 grams of liquid cleaning composition to about 1 gram of the nonwoven fabric.
The nonwoven fabric is formed from 10 wt. % to 90 wt. % of viscose fibers and 10 wt. % to 90 wt. % of polyester fibers such as Spunlace made by the Dexter Corporation. More preferably the nonwoven fabric comprises 10 wt. % to 95 wt. % of wood pulp fibers, 1 wt. % to 40 wt. % of viscose fibers and 1 wt. % to 40 wt. % of polyester fibers. Such a nonwoven fabric which is manufactured by Dexter Corporation under the name Hydraspun comprises about 60% to 95% of wood pulp fabrics, 2.5 wt. % to 20 wt. % of viscose fibers and 2.5 wt. % to 20 wt. % of polyester fibers.

Cleaning wipe comprising 2 bromo-2 nitropropane-1,3 diol


A cold chemical sterilant capable of killing a challenge of vegetative target organisms including bacterial spores comprising a composition of interactive constituents including a monohydric alcohol, an urea salt, a polyhydric alcohol, a surface active agent and water in proportion by weight to destroy the protective integrity of the walls of the bacterial spores, to penetrate the walls of the bacterial spores and to kill the bacterial spores and other vegetative target organisms.

1. Field of the Invention
A cold sterilant effective against a wide range of pathogenic organisms including bacterial spores.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Sterilants are used in many areas, such as in the sterilization of laboratory, surgical, dental and other equipment. It is customary in hospital practice to sterilize instruments overnight, using chemical sterilizing agents or other sterilizing methods.
The most common methods of sterilization involve either the use of pressurized steam, dry heat or ethylene oxide. However, some of these methods are cumbersome, tedious and time-consuming, often damage the the material and require expensive equipment and skilled technicians.
Moreover, steam sterilization is impracticable for many plastic devices and delicate instruments which are sensitive to elevated temperatures.
Many chemical sterilization methods have been developed as substitutes for steam sterilization. Unfortunately most have shortcomings. Phenols and formaldehyde compositions have considerable sporicidal activity but have objectionable odors and extreme toxicity. Ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and the quaternary ammonium compounds have been used, and though less odorous and toxic, lack the activity of the phenols and formaldehyde compositions.
Compositions comprising saturated dialdehydes with alkalinating agents have also been used. Though such compounds are satisfactory as chemical sterilization agents their sporicidal activity is limited to certain pH ranges, require up to ten (10) hours to work, and have certain limits on stability.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,602 describes a hypocompatible biodegradable nonaqueous cold chemical sterilant capable of killing a challenge of a wide range of target organisms including bacterial spores within ten minutes comprising a composition of interactive constituents including a monohydric alcohol, a polyhydric alcohol, a saturated dialdehyde and a catonic surface active agent in proportion by weight to reduce the surface tension of the bacterial spore wall, penetrate the bacterial spore wall and kill the nuclei of the bacterial spores and other target organisms without the need of removing residue.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,302 shows a stable shippable microbicidal composition including between about 0.2 to 8% hydrogen peroxide, about 0.2 to 11% peracetic plus acetic acid, 0 to about 1% sequestrant such as organic phosphonic acid or its salt and water, and surfactant between 0 and about 1% with the ratio of total acid to H.sub.2 O.sub.2 being between about 1.0 and 11.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,636 relates to an antiseptic including isopropanol alcohol and hydrogen peroxide or urea hydrogen peroxide.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,750 discloses a method for disinfecting and/or sterilizing medical and dental instruments including an aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate and carbamide, at a temperature in the range from about 0.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. Other aqueous solutions may comprise sodium dodecyl sulfate (sodium lauryl sulfate) carbamide (urea) alone, aqueous solutions or surface active quaternary ammonium compounds, distilled water, saline solution, alcohols (isopropyl, ethyl, methyl), polyethylene glycol, organic acids (such as acetic, lauric and myristic), sodium silicate and sodium bicarbonate.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,739 teaches an apparatus and process for hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization of medical instruments using hydrogen peroxide vapor released from a substantially non-aqueous organic hydrogen peroxide complex such as a urea-peroxide complex.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,901 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,385 teach urea-hydrogen peroxide-polyvinylpyrrolidone about 5%-20% by weight of H.sub.2 O.sub.2 and less than about 5% water.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,542,898 relates to a stable antiseptic liquid comprising either urea peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, or mixtures thereof, in glycerol, containing a small amount of 8-hydroxy-quinoline, for instance at least about 0.01% by weight of the solution, whereby the bactericidal effectiveness of the solution becomes significantly greater than that of the peroxides in glycerol alone.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,430,450 discloses a non-aqueous antiseptic, composition, comprising substantially pure urea peroxide dissolved in glycerol, the urea peroxide constituting from 0.2% to 20.0% by weight of the solution.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,542,897 relates to a liquid composition forming a protective wound coating on exposure to air and comprising a plastic dissolved in ethyl alcohol and diethylether and urea peroxide.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,071,186 shows a pharmaceutical product comprising the double compound of hydrogen peroxide and urea.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,511,486 describes a foamable liquid denture cleanser and deodorant comprising surfactant, humectant, water and an appreciable amount of ethanol or isopropanol.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,282,775 shows a sporicidal composition including saturated dialdehydes containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and a cationic surface active agent. More specifically, these compounds include malonaldehyde, succinaldehyde, oxaldehyde (glyoxal), adipaldehyde and preferably, glutaraldehyde. The quantity of saturated dialdehyde used may vary from about 0.1 percent to about 2 percent depending upon which particular dialdehyde is selected. Moreover, one may safely depart from this concentration without seriously detracting from its effectiveness. For example, if desired, the final concentration of dialdehyde may be increased up to as much as 10 percent or decreased as low as 0.05 percent. However, amounts in excess of 2 percent are unnecessary, extremely toxic and wasteful. in actual practice a range of from 0.1 percent to about 2 percent is preferred. The compounds may be diluted either with water or lower alkanols such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and the like, or with combinations to form aqueous-alcohol solutions. The pH of the final solution may be either on the acid side or the alkaline side and may be varied over a wide range of from about 4.0 to about 9.0 though it is preferred to have the pH in the range of from about 5.0 to 8.0.
U.S. Pat. No.4,040,977 describes a preservative and disinfecting composition for aqueous emulsions, suspensions and solutions which are obtained by reaction in water of a haloacetamide or thiocyanoacetamide or mixture thereof, an alcohol or mixture of alcohols; and formaldehyde.
U.S. Pat. No.3,697,222 describes a sterilization process achieved by contacting a contaminated object with an aqueous acid glutaraldehyde solution at temperatures above about 45 degrees C. The sterilizing action may be enhanced by ultrasonic energy. Sterilization also may be achieved using ultrasonic energy and aqueous alkaline glutaraldehyde solution.
U.S. Pat. No.4,093,744 teaches a means for killing spores on instruments and the like utilizing the combination of glutaraldehyde and a detergent selected from the group consisting of nonionic, anionic and ampholytic surface active agents. The sporicidal kill activity of glutaraldehyde is enhanced by the detergents.
U.S. Pat. No.4,048,336 relates to a means for killing spores on instruments utilizing the combination of a glutaraldehyde and a monoaldehyde, such as, for example, formaldehyde. The sporicidal kill activity of the composition is more rapid than previously possible and more effective than the use of either glutaraldehyde or monoaldehyde alone. Unfortunately, this composition is far more toxic than without glutaraldehyde.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,404 shows an aqueous solution of glutaraldehyde of acid pH value with dissolved quantities of certain highly ionized salts to kill dormant spores at room temperature.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,797 describes a composition to sterilize medical instruments comprising an alcohol-aldehyde active substance combination in a proportion of 5 to 15 percent by weight. The preferred alcohol is isopropanol and the preferred aldehyde is formaldehyde or a succinic acid dialdehyde complex and the preferred ratio of alcohol to aldehyde is 1:1.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,889,243 shows a chemical composition having antiviral activity comprising hydroxpyruvaldehyde ether.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,173,653 teaches an oxydiacetaldehyde is used as an active antimicrobial agent in an aqueous solution for disinfecting or sterilizing. The activity against bacteria or spores can be improved by adding alkalinating agents or alcohols such as isopropanol, or by raising pH or by raising the temperature.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,899 describes an aqueous composition for killing bacteria, spores, fungi and viruses on nonabsorbent surfaces comprising at least one quaternary ammonium salt, at least one aliphatic dialdehyde having from two to six carbon atoms, and at least one aliphatic hydroxyl compound having from one to eight atoms. Optionally, a chelating agent and an inorganic nitrite salt may be employed. This sterilant kills bacteria, spores, fungi and viruses over a pH range from about pH 4 to about pH 9.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,250 describes a method for disinfecting or sterilizing medical, surgical, dental instruments or other objects in liquid phase with improved sporicidal compositions by combining nonionic and anionic surfactants with aqueous or alcoholic glutaraldehyde solutions. The method can be used also with ultrasonic irradiation over a wide frequency range of from 10 to 850 kHz. U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,248 and U.S. Pat. NO. 3,912,450 teach similar methods.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,530 describes a process for sanitizing, disinfecting and killing spores involving providing a tangible object made from polymeric material impregnated with an aqueous glutaraldehyde solution packaged in an air-tight enclosure, removing the impregnated tangible object from the enclosure and applying the impregnated tangible object to the surface to be sterilized and/or sanitized and disinfected so as to expose spores, bacteria, virus and other microorganisms present on the surface to the action of the glutaraldehyde solution. A sanitary attachment for a receiver or mouthpiece of a telephone made from plastic material incorporating a glutaraldehyde solution. A fabric made from cellulosic or plastic material having sporicidal and/or sanitizing and disinfectant activity as a result of being impregnated with a glutaraldehyde solution. A method for sanitizing and disinfecting and/or rendering fabric sporicidal involves impregnating a fabric with an aqueous glutaraldehyde solution prior to packaging the fabric in an air-impervious container until ready for use.
Various spray germicides for sanitizing such surfaces is typified by U.S. Pat. No. 3,445,564 is directed to a method, compositions and articles for sanitizing public or communal facilities prior to individual use. The method consists of applying a thin layer of a rapidly drying liquid germicidal composition to a surface such as a toilet seat. The rapidly drying germicidal compositions consist essentially of a lower aliphatic alcohol and at least about 5 percent of a volitizing agent such as acetone. Isopropyl alcohol has excellent germicidal activity and is sufficiently volatile to give a satisfactory drying rate when blended with suitable proportions of a valorizing agent. Inasmuch as the lower aliphatic alcohols are not sufficiently volatile to afford usefully short drying times for practical purposes in the method and articles of the Kirschner invention it was necessary to include a volatizing agent in the germicidal composition. The proportion of volatizing agent to lower aliphatic alcohol in the rapidly drying germicidal compositions employed in the invention may vary widely depending upon a number of factors, which include among others, the volatility of the alcohol employed, the volatility of the volatizing agent, the desired drying rate of the germicidal composition, the amount of germicidal agent applied to the surface to be treated and the method of application of the germicide, not to mention the prevailing conditions of temperature and relative humidity under which the product is to be employed.
Although the isopropyl alcohol-acetone composition of U.S. Pat. No. 3,445,564 has germicidal activity against bacteria, fungi and other lower organisms, additional antibacterial, antifungal or other active ingredients may be incorporated to enhance the overall germicidal effectiveness. Suitable germicidal additives include the well known antibacterial quaternary ammonium compound. In essence, U.S. Pat. No. 3,445,564 teaches the use of isopropyl alcohol to kill a limited number of germs on a dry toilet seat with the addition of acetone to volatize an already highly volatile chemical to rapidly dry the toilet seat for use within 30 seconds.
The use of a dye in a bactericidal solution as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,449,274 is employed to provide a visual indication of the effectiveness of such sprays.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,658 shows an aerosol spray for use in disinfecting a surface for personal use such as a public restroom facility or telephone. The composition and delivery of the compositions provides for the placement of a spray of disinfectant which includes a dye that disappears as the spray effects the germicidal activity of the disinfectant. The composition is also rapidly drying, so that the dye disappears as well as the disinfecting composition leaving the surface dry. However, the spray is corrosive and environmentally unsafe.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,821,413 discloses a formulation of materials which permits an effective, uniform rate of evaporation of glycols from an air circulator device to reduce some bacteria in the surrounding atmosphere. It was observed that the relative amounts and identities of the components of the invention are critical to the attainment of the desired continuous evaporation of glycols over a prolonged period of time. The composition of U.S. Pat. No. 3,821,413 is a single phase liquid composition especially adapted for volatilization at a substantially uniform rate from the air circulator device. Generally speaking, the composition includes three essential components (1) a glycol, (2) an organic polar coupling compound for maintaining the homogeneity prevents the glycol from separating from the mixture during evaporation of the mixture into the atmosphere and (3) an organic, relatively non-polar compound for forming hydrophobic micelles with the glycol molecules in the resulting mixture for reducing the affinity of the glycol to atmospheric moisture and thereby increasing the rate at which the glycol may be evaporated into the atmosphere.
The composition contains the glycol germicide. If desired, other suitable germicides or antiseptic agents can be added provided, however, that the glycol concentration of the composition does not fall below 5 percent by weight of the total mixture. Such germicides include quaternary ammonium compounds, phenols, bisphenols, salicylanilides, carbanilides, formaldehyde and chloride.
The required glycol evaporation rate for attaining the desired air sanitizing performance depends on the satisfactory stability and uniform nature of the liquid composition during evaporation from the mixture. Accordingly, the compositions of the invention include from about 2 percent to about 40 percent by weight of an organic polar coupling compound for maintaining the homogeneity of the mixture to prevent the glycol from separating from the mixture during the evaporation process.
The affinity of glycols to attract atmospheric moisture significantly reduces their volatility and impairs their evaporation rate. Accordingly, the compositions of the invention include from about 5 percent to about 80 percent by weight of an organic, relatively non-polar compound for forming hydrophobic micelles surrounding the glycol molecules in the mixture for reducing the affinity of the glycol to atmospheric moisture and thereby increase the rate of evaporation of the glycol. Without this micelle formation, it was found that the glycol or mixture of glycols in the mixture cannot evaporate appreciably in an air circulator device containing a wick immersed in the liquid composition.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,593 is directed to an acne treatment medication applied to the skin for preventing the formation of acne or decreasing already established ache. An important factor for the occurrence of ache is the presence of bacteria in the sebaceous glands in the skin. It is known that the bacteria in the sebaceous glands form esterases which hydrolyze the sebum fats to alcohols and free fatty acids. The medicinal ache-preventing or ache diminishing composition of U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,593 is based on the bacterial esterase activity in the sebaceous glands which together with the water already present in the skin can hydrolyze an ester having a good penetration capacity into the sebaceous glands to form one and preferably two antibacterially active components, viz. an acid and an alcohol, which are harmless to the skin. The active compound in the composition is one or more esters chosen from the group consisting of ethyl lactate, isopropyl lactate and/or glycerol mono or dilactate. The esters hydrolyze in the sebaceous glands due to the esterases present in the glands to form the corresponding acids and alcohols. Lactic acid and the lower alcohols and also glycerol to a certain extent exert a good antibacterial activity when formed in situ in the sebaceous glands. The esters are lipophilic and can thus penetrate into the said glands. Even if a beneficial action can be achieved by application of the ester or esters per se, it, has been found to be suitable to apply the ester in the form of a solution in ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. The alcohol prevents hydrolysis of the ester already in the composition, the alcohol moves the hydrolysis equilibrium towards ester formation. The alcohol can also facilitate the penetration of the ester into the skin. As is well-known alcohol in high concentrations may cause a drying-out of the skin. To counteract this effect, the composition may include a moisture-retaining agent such as a lower, suitably water-free polyol, viz. propylene glycol or glycerol. The content of propylene glycol or glycerol in the composition according to the invention may be up to 25 percent, suitably not more than 10 percent by weight and preferably 1-5 percent. High levels of polyol tend to make the composition smeary upon application on the skin and should thus be avoided. The preferred composition according to the invention consists of about 15 percent by weight of ethyl lactate, about 2 percent by weight of propylene glycol, the remainder being ethyl alcohol. In summary, U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,593 relates to acne medication comprising esters that hydrolyze in the sebaceous glands in combination with an alcohol to prevent hydrolysis of the esters as well as to facilitate the penetration of the ester into the skin, and propylene glycol or glycerol to prevent drying of the skin. The preferred ratio of the constituents is 15 percent to 83 percent to 2 percent respectively.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,909 discloses a stable, fast drying pituitous powder deodorant suspension in an alcohol media containing a minimal amount of water and a critical amount of the essential hydroxyethyl cellulose as the suspending agent. The fast drying pituitous suspension of particulate material in an aqueous alcohol media contains hydroxyethyl cellulose at levels above its normal solubility limit by the polyhydric alcohol. More specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,909 relates to stable pituitous suspensions of particulate material, preferably about 1-20 percent, uniformly suspended in alcohol/aqueous media containing a high alcohol content and a lower water content. The alcohol media may be a lower monohydric alcohol selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and mixtures thereof. The use of polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, butylene glycol and polyols thereof, and glycerin decreases the critical water level required in the hydroxyethyl cellulose-containing alcohol media. It has been unexpectedly found that powders can be suspended in alcoholic/aqueous media containing a high alcohol content and a lower water content by using the water soluble polymer hydroxyethyl cellulose at critical levels above its ethanol solubility range which may be broadened by specified polyhydric alcohols. This polymer is unique in its property to form stable suspensions. Specifically, polyhydric alcohols can be partially substituted for the monohydric alcohol, not to exceed the monohydric alcohol content. The monohydric alcohol content, such as ethanol, must exceed the upper solubility level for the water soluble polymer hydroxyethyl cellulose in ethanol or other lower alkanol. The reported upper solubility level of this water soluble polymer in ethanol is 70 percent. Below this level and within normal soluble use ranges, a uniformly viscous liquid is obtained which pours evenly. Although, it appears aesthetically desirable, it will not support suspended powder and segregation occurs. However, at ethanol concentrations above its solubility range, the polymer becomes less soluble and forms the desired pititious type liquid. If ethanol is further increased resulting in very low water levels the polymer will precipitate out and its suspending properties are again lost. Accordingly, a 70:30 ratio of ethanol-water is optimum. However, it was found that this problem can be eliminated by the sufficient addition of a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin, propylene glycol, butylene glycol and polyglycols thereto. Accordingly, it has been found that the monohydric alcohol constitutes about 55-85 percent; and the water content may be as low as 5 percent if at least 10 percent polyhydric alcohol is also present in the suspension. The combined water and polyhydric alcohol content is at least 15 percent and may be up to about 25 percent. Thus, it is apparent that the proportions of monohydric alcohol, water and polyhydric alcohol are interdependent. In summary, U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,909 teaches a fast drying deodorant comprising a critical amount of hydroxyethyl cellose as the deodorant to encapsulate or isolate bacteria to prevent growth of the bacteria, suspended in a solution of monohydric alcohol to provide the fast drying characteristics and polyhydric alcohol to improve the overall solubility of the solution to allow the use of increased levels of monohydric alcohol. The relative proportions of the monohydric alcohol, water and polyhydric alcohol are driven or determined by the desired solubility and therefore are interdependent.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,902 disclosed various polymer complex carriers such as propylene glycol for use with an active ingredient such as a disinfectant or fragrance.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,779 refers to the use of propylene glycol in combination with alcohol and fragrances. This composition is both toxic and non-biodegradable.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,500 teaches a composition suitable for use in aerosol sprays including an anhydrous alcohol and fragrance or perfume. This composition is corrosive, non-biodegradable and non-evaporative.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,168 describes a hard surface cleaning composition suitable for glass, chrome, plastic, enamel and other hard surfaces. The composition is applied to the hard surface as an emulsion of an aqueous phase and an oil phase. The bubbling action is caused by the evaporation of volatile constituents from the film or layer of applied compositions, as well as the desire for the aqueous and oil phase components to reform. The bubbling action, characterized by small bubbles of volatile components erupting from the surface of the composition film aids in lifting soil from the hard surface. As an apparent consequence, the rate of cleaning is accelerated. The composition comprises a polar organic solvent or mixture of solvents, a nonvolatile surfactant, a volatile surfactant such as an acetylene alcohol or diol, a volatile organosiloxane oligomer and water.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,317 teaches a liquid composition for cleaning a wide variety of hard surfaces, particularly metallic, plastic, tile, porcelain, glass and mirrored surfaces comprising a polyacrylic acid or a polyacrylate resin builder in combination with a hydrotrope which is an alkali metal salt of a C21 dicarboxylic acid. The organic solvent may be selected from the group consisting of alkylene and polyalkylene glycols of from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and lower alkyl ethers of alkylene and polyalkylene glycols of from 3 to 8 carbon atoms the alkyl ether having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. A lower aliphatic alcohol of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms may also be included in the composition to adjust evaporation rate of the composition.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,635 describes a mixture of one or more surfactants (detergents) with the pH sensitive dye. The surfactant can be diluted with water to give the desired cleaning strength. The surfactant can be an anionic, nonionic, amphoteric or mixtures of the three types. Typical anionic surfactants used are petroleum sulfonates, such as sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, alcohol sulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate and ethoxylated higher fatty alcohol sulfates such as sodium lauryl ether sulfate. Typical nonionic surfactants are primary alcohol ethoxylates, secondary alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl phenol ethoxylates and alkanolamides. The amphoteric surfactants include a number of types of carboxylates derived from fatty imidazolines such as sodium dicarboxyethylcoco phosphoethyl imidazoline or fatty proprionates such as cocoamphoproprionate or cocoamphodipropionate. The composition of a basic cleaner includes the surfactant or mixture of surfactants at about 0.1 percent to about 20.0 percentage by weight. This range of surfactant is for usage in a nondiluted product for household use. Tymolphthalein in the range of about 0.01 percent to about 1 percent by weight will give a broad range of blue color when varying intensity using an alkali system to adjust the pH of the composition.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,063 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,303 teach compositions similar to U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,635.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,329,334 shows a homogeneous liquid anionic-amphoteric based antimicrobial conditioning shampoo which includes about 0.5 to 2.5 percent of the antimicrobial agent, 1-imidazolyl-1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3, 3-dimethylbutan-2. one, solublilzed in an aqueous solution of critical amounts of a mixture of the following specific ingredients: about 10-40 percent by weight of an anionic sulfate or sulfonate surface active agent; about 0.1-7.5 percent by weight of an amphoteric surfactant selected from the group consisting of cocobetaine, cocosulfobetaine, cocoamidopropylbetaine, cocoamidopropylsulfobetaine or combinations thereof; a nonionic surface active agent selected from the group consisting of a tertiary amine oxide, a polyoxyethylene hexitan mono-higher fatty acid ester and mixtures thereof; and about 0.5-2 percent by weight of a lower aliphatic monohydric or polyhydric alcohol or mixtures thereof in certain critical amounts to avoid precipitation of the antimicrobial agent.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,654,165 teaches a cleaner-sanitizer for use on telephone instruments including a fast-acting, penetrative, quick-drying bacteriocidal detergent solution which leaves a safe, active residue of selected proportions of sodium lauryl sulfate, dimethyl sulfone, isopropanol and iodine in solution.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,988 describes a composition for disinfecting a surface, such as a public restroom facility or telephone. The composition and delivery of the composition provides for the placement of a thin layer of disinfectant including a dye. The dye disappears as the thin layer effects the germicidal activity of the disinfectant. A sample of the germicidal composition was prepared with 400 mg of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 400 mg of octyl phenoxy polyethoxyethanol marketed as Triton X-100 and 100 mg of blue dye thymophthalein. This composition was tested for germicide effectiveness against Herpes simplex virus type 2, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli 011K58, Shigella sonnei, Salmonella typhimurium and Candida albicans.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,217 describes germicidal compositions for direct application to human skin including an organic acid, e.g., malic acid, and an anionic surfactant, e.g., a sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate, as active ingredients, and can optionally include an alcohol, e.g., specially denatured ethyl alcohol, as an additional active ingredient. When formulated as soaps and lotions, the compositions have been found to produce more then a 2.0 log reduction in bacteria applied to skin. Organic acids and anionic surfactants, e.g., malic acid and a sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate surfactant, are used as active ingredients in germicidal products which are applied directly to the skin, such as hand-washing soaps, skin care lotions, soapy-lotions, or wipes containing these materials. Optionally, the products can include an alcohol, such as, specially denatured ethyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol as an additional active ingredient. These formulations, in addition to killing viruses, also effectively kill bacteria and yeasts. In particular, the formulations have been found to kill a variety of microorganisms in both in vitro experiments performed in test tubes and, even more importantly, in in vivo experiments performed on human hands. Moreover, notwithstanding their germicidal activity, the formulations have been found to be non-irritating to human skin.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,046,706 shows a composition for cleaning contact lenses comprising a poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxypropylene) block copolymer having a molecular weight between 1900 and 15,500, a water solubility in excess of about 10 gms per 100 nl, a cloud point in 1 percent aqueous solutions above about 30 degrees C., and a foam height in excess of 30 mm; a microbial growth inhibitor; ethyl or isopropyl alcohol; an amphoteric surfactant and water.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,578,499 teaches a powder composition containing a gelling agent, a neutral diluent, a wetting agent and a dye or coloring additive. The powder gelling composition when added to water forms a gel. Acid or alkaline materials are added for cleaning, biocidal agents for sanitizing or other materials to produce a desired effect. The significant advantage of this method is the increased residence time and hence contact time between agents in the gel and the surface to be acted on. A third component included in the gelling composition is a wetting agent exemplified by a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate type material wherein the alkyl group may include from about 12 to 14 carbon atoms. The wetting agent should be desirably characterized as a anionic agent although it is recognized that nonionic surfactants may also be employed. One wetting agent found useful herein is the commercially available sulfonate of dodecylbenzene.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,333,124 describes a method for sterilizing air laden with bacteria or other pathogenic organism comprising contacting the air with a mixture of glycols in vapor form in proportions to provide about 1 gram of such glycols in vapor form to not more than about 5 to 7 million cubic centimeters of air.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,857,315 shows a stable antiperspirant stick having a base comprising a sodium stearate-propylene glycol soap gel having an active antiperspirant agent sodium zirconium lactate. The sodium stearate-propylene glycol soap gel may contain alcohol in an amount not substantially greater than the prop)ylene glycol by weight.
Additional examples of the prior art are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 590,213; 3,282,776; 4,201,764; 4,282,179; 4,265,899; 4,283,4:21; 4,364,515; 4,550,105; 4,105,431; 4,243,403; 4,278,206; 4,322,475; 4,436,732; 4,464,293; 4,597,837, 4,252,694; 4,279,762; 4,325,201; 4,540,505; 4,675,397 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,934.
Examination of the prior art reveals most existing compositions available are either toxic or non-biodegradable or both. Toxic chemicals that are not biodegradable contaminate our environment, the soil and the water supply.
In recognition of the dangers of existing disinfectants, health facilities are required to notify employees that toxic chemicals are in use and advise them of the possible hazards that result or could result as a consequence of misuse or a spills. Such notices must also be given to the community at large.
Other laws and regulations require users to document the use of toxic chemicals and require that the excess, the waste, or the residue be collected and properly stored. These materials must be collected by licensed and approved toxic waste companies, taken to an authorized disposal site and legally destroyed. The cost of disposing of such toxic material is often more expensive than the initial purchase price.
Sterilants today should be non-toxic or low in toxicity and biodegradable and capable of killing bacterial spores quickly and effectively. Further, such disinfectants and sterilants should be chemically compatible with the numerous apparatus and instruments found in modem healthcare facilities.
As described more fully hereinafter the instant invention is directed to an environmentally safe composition capable of killing anaerobic and aerobic bacteria, viruses including the HIV virus, mildew, mold, fungus and bacterial spores. The principal complementary sporicidal ingredients of the invention are selected from a group of monohydric alcohols, a group of polyhydric alcohols, a group of urea related constituents and a group of surface active agents.
In the past such alcohols have had limited use outside the laboratory due to various undesirable characteristics of alcohol. For example, it has been universally accepted that alcohol has very limited application as a widely used disinfectant because alcohol is unable to penetrate protein rich material, evaporates quickly, has limited stability and shelf life, has a pungent odor and tends to form a glaze on hard surfaces possibly hiding or covering visible contamination.
The instant invention has evolved from an extensive development program involving the unexpected formulation of certain chemicals to reduce or inhibit those undesirable features of alcohol and to make alcohol safe and effective for use outside the laboratory.


This design is a fingerboard with an integrated neck adjustment mechanism to correct both up bow and back bow of a stringed instrument neck with the added ability to eliminate additional bulk associated with conventional guitar neck construction. It includes a metal plate as the fingerboard. Attached to the underside of the plate is a neck adjustment mechanism. By integrating the neck adjustment mechanism with the fingerboard a shallower depth for a routed truss rod channel is achieved. The metal plate reduces fingerboard bulk yet provides the stability needed to resist the string tension. This design also provides the ability of three characteristics to be used in one instrument that current designs and construction methods cannot achieve: thin necks, full scalloped fret boards and dual action truss rod functionality.

Stringed musical instruments may be constructed in many ways yet typically are constructed with the same materials and components. The main components of a stringed instrument are the neck, body and headstock and they are all typically made of wood.
The headstock typically holds the tuning keys which are used to bring each string into proper pitch. Between the headstock and the neck is a component known as nut which serves two main purposes. It provides the proper spacing between each string and is the first point of contact which produces the first not of each open string. The term open string refers to an unfretted string. In some cases a zero fret is used in which it is the first note of each open string and a nut only provides the proper string spacing.
At the opposite end of the headstock is typically a body. The body serves many purposes and is also typically made of wood. Attached to the body at a specific location is a bridge. The bridge is the second point of contact which allows each string to vibrate and produce a note. The bridge can have individual saddles for each string or may be constructed of a single piece. Various materials can be used as the saddle material. The saddles provide the necessary string spacing at the bridge end and also have two adjustability features, string height or action, and intonation.
Between the headstock and the body is the neck. The neck is typically made of wood and is usually constructed with four main components: the main structural wood component, a fret board, frets and a truss rod. Fret boards, or fingerboards, may be constructed as fretless versions also, which do not include the fret component. The main structural element of the neck provides the majority of the stability necessary to compensate for the tension exhibited by the string tension and also provides a comfortable surface for the user's hands. The frets are spaced at specific distances from the nut and bridge and when each string is pressed against each fret a specific note is generated. The frets are typically made of metal and can be pressed, hammered, of slid into the slots that are cut into the fret board. The fret board is typically made of wood also. The truss rod provides additional stability and some provide adjustability of the neck flex. There are three types of truss rods: non-adjustable, one way, and two way or dual action. The non-adjustable model provides added stability. A one way truss rod can only control the neck flex in one direction and a two-way, or dual action, truss rod can adjust the neck bow in both directions, either up, or down, depending on the changes in string tension, humidity, temperature or any combination of the three.
The cross sectional shape of the neck is typically semi-circular.
The truss rod is typically installed within the neck in a channel that is routed or cut along its longitudinal axis.
Other materials that have been used to construct stringed instruments and components of stringed instruments are carbon fiber, plastic and metal.
The three previously mentioned adjustability features play a very important role in adjusting a stringed instrument neck's playability. These adjustments are for neck bow, string height or action, and intonation. There are several factors that can create a need for variances in the neck bow from one player to the next. The gauge, or thickness of the strings, the tuning used, scale length, the force one uses to play, as well as personal preference are a few of the main variances. The combination of neck bow and action affect the intonation. Intonation is a compensation adjustment. Depending on the string height and neck bow, the amount of distance a string needs to travel to make contact with each fret can affect the desired pitch of each note. Intonation refers to the movement of the saddle towards the nut, to compensate for a lower than desired pitch or away from the nut to compensate for a higher than desired pitch, in reference to the scale length of the instrument. The scale length refers to the distance between the nut and the bridge and the fret spacing which is a result of the formula used to calculate fret placement. There is a delicate balance that exists between string height, neck bow, and intonation in order to achieve optimum playability.
Guitar necks also vary by individual preferences. They can be any combination of thick, thin, round, flat and many other preferences. Fret boards can also be made with a multitude of radii and some can even be fretless.
One feature of prior art necks which this invention attempts to overcome is the dimensional limitations on constructing neck with less bulk than with conventional methods and materials. Prior art necks which are considered the thinnest currently available lack the ability to provide dual action truss rod functionality due to the depth of the truss rod channel that is required to install prior art dual action truss rods. Another prior art neck feature is a full scalloped fret board. This means that a considerable amount of material between the frets is removed. The removal of the fret board material eliminates any friction that is caused by a user's fingers coming into contact with the fret board as a result of fretting each note. This feature is not achievable with any prior art thin neck as additional stability is compromised. On fretless versions, the fingerboard still has to be bulky to provide additional stability and be able to resist the forces exerted by prior art truss rod.
Prior art does not allow for thin necks with full scalloped fret boards or thin fretless fingerboards, and dual action truss rod functionality nor do they allow for stringed instrument necks to be constructed with less bulk than they are currently constructed.
There is a need that exists for stringed musical instruments with less bulky necks and fingerboards, dual action truss functionality and a full scalloped fret board feature all in the same instrument.
This invention successfully meets the aforementioned need by integrating a shallow neck adjustment mechanism with a new, thinner fingerboard design.
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of all components of the invention. A plate 1 has a first and second end and a top and bottom surface. A rod 2 has a first threaded end and second threaded end. Said threads can have a different pitch or different thread directions to provide adjustability. A first and second threaded block 3 and 4 respectively may also have differing thread directions or differing thread pitches. Adjustment nut 5 may be constructed in several ways as long as it provides the ability to rotate said rod 2 in both a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction. A plurality of frets 6 may also be present but are not necessary to provide adjustability.
FIG. 2 is an underside perspective of the assembled fingerboard and truss rod apparatus. First end of said rod 2 is threaded and second end of rod 2 is also threaded. First threaded end of said rod 2 is threaded through a first threaded block 3 and second threaded end of said rod 2 is threaded through a second threaded block 4. Said first threaded block 3 has similar threads to first threaded end of said rod 2 and said second threaded block 4 has similar threads to second threaded end of said rod 2. Permanently attached to said first threaded end of rod 2 is an adjustment nut 5. Said first threaded block 3 is permanently attached to the underside of first end of said plate 1 by means of a fusible metal alloy and said second threaded block 4 is permanently attached to the underside of said second end of plate 2 by means of a fusible metal alloy. Rotating the adjustment nut 5 in either direction mentioned will cause the fingerboard plate 2 to bow in either an upward or downward direction. A plurality of frets 6 may or may not be present. Said frets 6 are attached perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to the top surface of said plate 2.
FIG. 3 is a top perspective of the separate fingerboard neck adjustment assembly. Fingerboard plate 2 with attached frets 6 can function on its own as a fingerboard although frets 6 are optional. Adjustment mechanism which includes threaded rod 2, threaded blocks 3 and 4, and adjustment nut 6 must be assembled prior to attachment of threaded block 3 and 4 to plate 1.
FIG. 4 is a section of a side view through all components of this invention assembled as a stringed instrument neck and fingerboard. Neck material 7 has a shallow slot cut down the middle of the longitudinal neck axis to accept neck adjustment assembly 2,3,4 (not shown), and 5. Fingerboard plate 1 is attached to top surface of neck material 7 and frets 6 are attached to top of plate 1.
FIG. 5 is a section of a side view of traditional components of a neck, fingerboard and neck adjustment member which shows the additional bulk associated with prior art necks, fingerboards and dual action truss rod assemblies. Traditional neck, fingerboard, and dual action truss rod assemblies have similar components of this invention yet lack the ability to reduce the bulkiness associated with traditional assembly methods and materials. Fingerboard 8 has fret slots cut into it to accept fret wire 13. Traditional dual action truss rod assembly 9, 10, 12, and additional component 11, also fits in a routed channel in the neck 14 but with the added bulkiness required to provide neck adjustability from truss rod component 9, 10, 11, and 12 and the resulting deeper channel that needs to be routed coupled with the bulkier fingerboards that are used, prior art neck assemblies lack the ability to provide necks which are less bulky, with dual action adjustability and a full scalloped fret board, or thin fingerboard on fretless models.
While this invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments thereof, it is obvious that modifications and changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art to which it pertains without departing from the sprit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is to be limited only by the appended claims.

Fingerboard for stringed musical instrument


A hand-held pneumatic impact tool for use in fine hand working operations includes a mechanism for adjusting impacting characteristics of the device that is conveniently located and adjusted by the user. The mechanism includes an annular band protruding around the outside diameter of the body of the impact tool that may be turned for adjusting an annular ring in the bore of the tool and thus altering the distance required for the piston to reach impact collision with the anvil. The impact tool also includes a handle containing a receiving-recess and a handle-attachment unit to permit manual removal and installation of the handle. The handle-attachment unit includes more than one protruding member positioned a distance into the receiving-recess, more than one groove on the outside diameter of body and running a distance and in a direction substantially parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the body and then changes direction and rotates around the central longitudinal axis of the body a distance.

The present invention relates to impact power tools and, more particularly, to an improved hand-held pneumatic impact power tool for delicate hand engraving and stone setting in the hand engraving and jewelry fields.
An impact power tool is known from my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,256, to Lindsay, which may be used for engraving, carving and delicate stone setting operations. A type of device described in my earlier patent is incorporated herein by reference in order to help with the need for further discussion of the types of devices with which the present invention may be employed.
Although the known impact power tool mentioned above provides improved control of delicate hand-working operations not previously available, it would be desirable to provide a impact power tool with additional features to provide greater ease of use. A known embodiment disclosed in my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,256, to Lindsay, uses a unique feature to adjust the impacting characteristics of the tool. This feature is very beneficial to users, although to modify this impacting adjustment takes valuable time from the jeweler or engraver, as two setscrews need to be loosened before the user can begin to adjust.
Another embodiment disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,256, to Lindsay is the a feature that gives more than one placement (chosen by the user) for tubing attachment to the impact power tool. This tubing placement feature uses small plugs to plug holes that are not in use. These small plugs can be easily lost and it takes time to move the tubing attachment to the desired position.
Another feature that needs improvement is how the handles are held on bodies of power tools such as these. The handles must have an airtight seal and yet they must be easily removed for the jeweler and engraver to facilitate cleaning the bore and piston and/or to change to a different weighted piston.
Further, as is addressed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,417, to Glaser a power tool that permits users to easily replace the tip of the tool with an alternate tip without having to tighten and loosen a threaded connection or setscrew can speed the work for jewelers or engravers and presents an advantage. The disadvantage of the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,417, to Glaser is that users are required to fasten all tool tips into a specially designed tool carrier block that is then placed into a mating recess in the power tool. With this system, the user is still required to use a threaded setscrew to fasten the tip into the tool carrier block taking more time than desired.
In accordance with the present invention, a handheld impact power tool that overcomes the problems discussed above and which provides a convenient and unique mechanism for users to adjust length and speed of stroke quickly. The unique mechanism includes an annular band protruding around the outside diameter of the body of the impact power tool that may be turned for adjusting an annular ring in the bore of the impact power tool and thus altering the porting and the impacting characteristics of the impacting piston.
In accordance with the present invention, a handheld impact power tool that provides a feature for attaching air supply tubing to the power tool that may be moved around freely on the outside body of the power tool. The attachment feature includes an annular band around the outside diameter of the body of the power tool that attaches the air supply tubing. This annular band may be rotated and slid along the axis of the body to a position favored by the user.
Further, in accordance with the present invention, a handheld impact power tool that provides a handle that may be manually pushed on and turned to lock. The feature includes more than one pin fixed into the female receptacle handle. These pins are radial aligned and protruding a short distance into the inside diameter of the female receptacle. Included on the outside diameter of the body of the power tool are slots or grooves that permit the pins and handle to slide on and turn and thus tightening against an O-ring between the handle and body, thus sealing and holding the handle onto the body.
Finally, in accordance with the present invention, a handheld impact power tool that provides a simple and convenient construction method that permits quick interchangeability of tool tips. The method includes an o-ring made of a resilient material located inside of the tool holding recess for a friction fit to tool tips. The method also includes a setscrew that is friction fit so as not to vibrate within its mating threads. The screw is perpendicular to the axis of the tool holding hole and is used to index square shank tool tips that are commonly used in the jewelry and engraving fields. The screw is left slightly loosened from the shanks of the tool tips so that tool tips may be removed and replaced quickly. This setscrew may also be used to tighten a round shank tool tip permitting a secure attachment.


A system and method for displaying text are described. According to embodiments of the invention, the system and methods describe operations for displaying text, where the text does not include hints.

A font is a typeface style such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Courier. A font consists of a set of characters. For example, for a Roman font, these characters include upper and lower case characters, numbers, punctuation, and other symbols. Fonts also include text faces such as Regular, Bold, and Italic. Moreover, font text is displayed at a particular scale called a point size. In a computer, characters of a font are represented as glyphs. A glyph includes a set of points that defines straight lines and curves, which form the outline of a character.
Text is displayed on a computer monitor by converting a glyph into a bitmap raster through a process called rasterization. During the rasterization process, a glyph outline is filled to produce a bitmap raster. The bitmap raster is displayed by imprinting it onto the computer monitor's backing store, which implicitly displays the bitmap raster on the computer monitor at a high duty cycle. The process of imprinting a bitmap raster onto the computer monitor's backing store is called blitting. Depending on the computer system, a bitmap raster may be imprinted into a window's backing store, and then imprinted onto the monitor's backing store.
Some fonts include "hints," which are used when font characters are displayed on a computer monitor. In addition to information representing the outline of a character, glyphs of a hinted font include information about scaling the character for different resolutions. In particular, hints describe a font's stems and bowls that should be snapped to pixel boundaries. Hinting is typically used when rasterizing a glyph to a purely black and white bitmap. Hinting can also be used to increase the contrast of grayscale glyph bitmaps. Hints are added to a font when the font is designed. For example, typically, font designers must determine rules for fitting each character of a font into a grid to obtain quality raster characters. The grid fitting rules (also called hints) typically apply to character stems, bowls, and serifs. Thus, the process of adding hints to a font increases the time for designing a font. As a result, many fonts do not include hints. Because many fonts are designed without hints, it can be difficult to align key parts of character glyphs to achieve relatively high contrast, when displaying fonts on a computer monitor.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Establishing an MCEE logical structure relating tenant resources of a tenant site, first non-tenant cloud resources at a first non-tenant cloud site, and second non-tenant cloud resources at a second non-tenant site. Mapping the MCEE logical structure nodes to a segmented end-to-end virtual network structure (E2E-VNS) such that the resources at each node of the MCEE logical structure is in a separate virtual network of the E2E-VNS. Establishing an extension and isolation (EXI) domain in the MCEE logical structure associating at least one node of the tenant resources with at least one node of the first non-tenant cloud and at least one node of the second non-tenant cloud. Connecting for network communications, the E2E-VNS virtual networks of the nodes of the EXI domain for isolation of the resources of the nodes of the EXI domain from the other resources of the MCEE logical structure in an EXI virtual network.

"Cloud computing" can refer to a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (for example, networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. This cloud model can be described as composed of five characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models.
The characteristics include the following.
On-demand self-service—A consumer can unilaterally provision computing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, as needed automatically without requiring human interaction with each service provider.
Broad network access—Capabilities are available over the network and accessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms, for example, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and workstations.
Resource pooling—The provider's computing resources are pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according to consumer demand. A sense of location independence exists in that the customer generally does not have any control or knowledge over the exact location of the provided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher level of abstraction (for example, country, state, or datacenter). Examples of resources include storage, processing, memory, and network bandwidth.
Rapid elasticity—Capabilities can be elastically provisioned and released, in some cases automatically, to scale rapidly outward and inward commensurate with demand. To the consumer, the capabilities available for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can be appropriated in any quantity at any time.
Measured service—Cloud systems automatically control and optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service (for example, storage, processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Typically, this process is done on a pay-per-use or charge-per-use basis. Resource usage can be monitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both the provider and consumer of the utilized service.
Service models can include the following:
Software as a Service (SaaS). The consumer uses the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure. A cloud infrastructure is the collection of hardware and software that enables the five characteristics of cloud computing. The cloud infrastructure can be viewed as containing both a physical layer and an abstraction layer. The physical layer consists includes the hardware resources that are necessary to support the cloud services being provided, and typically includes server, storage, and network components. The abstraction layer includes the software deployed across the physical layer, which manifests the essential cloud characteristics. Conceptually the abstraction layer sits above the physical layer.
Platform as a Service (PaaS). Consumer-created or acquired applications created using programming languages, libraries, services, and tools are deployed onto the cloud infrastructure and supported by the provider. This capability does not necessarily preclude the use of compatible programming languages, libraries, services, and tools from other sources. The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure, including network, servers, operating systems, or storage, but has control over the deployed applications and possibly configuration settings for the application-hosting environment.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). The capability provided to the consumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and other fundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating systems and applications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage, and deployed applications; and possibly limited control of select networking components (for example, host firewalls).
Deployment models include the following:
Private Cloud. The cloud infrastructure is provisioned for exclusive use by a single organization comprising multiple consumers (for example, business units). It may be owned, managed, and operated by the organization, a third party, or some combination of them, and it may exist on or off premises.
Community Cloud. The cloud infrastructure can be provisioned for use by a specific community of users from organizations that have shared concerns (for example, mission, security requirements, policy, and compliance considerations). It may be owned, managed, and operated by one or more of the organizations in the community, a third party, or some combination of them, and it may exist on or off premises.
Public Cloud. The cloud infrastructure can be provisioned for open use by the general public. It may be owned, managed, and operated by a business, academic, or government organization, or some combination of them. It exists on the premises of the cloud provider.
Hybrid Cloud. The cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or more distinct cloud infrastructures (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities, but are bound together by standardized or proprietary technology that enables data portability and application portability (for example, cloud bursting for load balancing between clouds).

Framework for network technology agnostic multi-cloud elastic extension and isolation


A thermoformed bladder is disclosed for assisting in the application of prosthetic mesh devices. The unit is fabricated from two layers of film that have been thermoformed in one localized region and then sealed. The sealed unit has air trapped within the three dimensional portion which can be forced into the non-formed region causing the non-formed region to expand and apply force against the prosthesis to assist in deployment.

The present invention relates to a device for the deployment of medical textiles, more specifically the present device is adapted to deploy mesh devices such as hernia patches.
A person may develop a hernia if the abdominal wall is weak and is not capable of keeping the peritoneum in place when larger pressures occur within the abdominal cavity. When a hernia occurs, the peritoneum bulges through a defect within the abdominal wall. Repairs of a hernia defect can be accomplished either anteriorly or posteriorly and may be corrected through the application of sutures, flat mesh prosthesis, prosthetic plugging devices or devices manufactured as multiple layer devices (such as the Prolene Hernia System, manufactured by Ethicon, Inc).
With the advent of minimally invasive surgery, there is a desire to repair the hernia defects through an incision, which is minimal. To this end, anterior approaches that provide posterior repairs have been suggested by Dr. Gilbert and others.
One technique involves making an incision near the site to be repaired, dissecting the tissue down to the peritoneum, dissecting the tissue between the fascia and peritoneum and applying a flat piece of mesh under the site of the defect. The separated tissue layers are held in a retracted position to provide room for the mesh application. The flat mesh is wound onto two instrument shafts (similar to a scroll) and is inserted through the incision. Once in place, the two instrument shafts are rolled in opposite directions to unroll and deposit the mesh at the site of the repair. This technique requires excellent dexterity in order to manipulate the instruments, both to capture the mesh and to unroll it properly.
A second anterior approach suggested by Dr. Gilbert is to make an incision at the site of the defect. The tissue is dissected to the defect. Once the defect is visualized, a sponge is inserted through the defect and the fascial layer is dissected away from the peritoneum. Once the dissection is complete, a two layer mesh prosthetic device (two layers attached at central position) is inserted through the defect and the upper layer is pulled back out of the defect. The surgeon then inserts a finger alongside the central portion of the device and attempts to deploy the lower layer of mesh outward away from the defect into a flattened position on top of the peritoneum. This method does not ensure even distribution of the lower layer since the deployment action is based on a single point of contact with the surgeon""s finger.
Applicator devices intended to deploy mesh devices and prosthetic devices with integral opening mechanisms attached have been suggested to improve the ability to deploy the mesh or prosthetic device into a flat condition. U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,692 discloses a balloon applicator device that enables the inflation of a balloon with mesh attached at the site of the defect. The device requires the addition of a means to inflate the balloon once it is placed at the site of the defect to be repaired. This addition of an inflation mechanism extends both the time and cost of the procedure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,000 discloses a means for unfolding the mesh in position through the attachment of an elastic/semi-rigid ring to a piece of flat mesh. The mesh is placed in position in a folded condition and is released. Ideally, the elastic element will exert an opening force to allow the mesh to return to a flattened condition. Unfortunately, the addition of stiffening elements to a flexible piece of mesh as a permanent implant results in patient discomfort and increases the patient awareness of the presence of the device.
I have discovered a device for the deployment of medical textile devices between layers of tissue composed of a first bladder, a conduit and a second bladder wherein the first bladder is in fluid communications with the second bladder through said conduit and the device is partially filled with a fluid and is sealed.
I have also discovered a process for deploying a medical textile device between two layers of tissue comprising positioning in an undeployed medical device a second bladder which is not completely expanded of a device composed of a first bladder, a conduit and the second bladder wherein the first bladder is in fluid communications with the second bladder through said conduit and the device is partially filled with a fluid and compressing the first bladder thereby expanding the second bladder and deploying the medical textile.
These and other advantages and aspects of the present invention are further explained in the following Detailed Description.