Patent Publication Number: US-2009235933-A1

Title: Electrostatically charged mask filter products and method for increased filtration efficiency

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     
         
         a) The Present application is the non-provisional counterpart of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/091,931 filed on Aug. 26, 2008 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
         b) The Present application is related to my pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/467,271 filed on May 16, 2009 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
         c) The Present application is related to my pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/466,382 filed on May 14, 2009 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
         d) The Present application is related to my pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/161,821 filed on Jun. 4, 2002 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
         e) The Present application is related to my U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,488, entitled “ELECTROSTATICALLY CHARGED NASAL APPLICATION PRODUCT AND METHOD” issued on Nov. 21, 1995. This patent is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
         f) The Present application is related to my U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,481, entitled “ELECTROSTATICALLY CHARGED NASAL TOPICAL APPLICATION PRODUCT” issued on Oct. 7, 1997. This patent is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
         g) The Present application is related to my U.S. Pat. No. 6,844,005 entitled “ELECTROSTATICALLY CHARGED NASAL APPLICATION PRODUCT WITH INCREASED STRENGTH” issued on Jan. 18, 2005. This patent is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
         h) Finally, this application is related to U.S. Non-Provisional Utility patent application Ser. No. 10/082,978 entitled “ELECTROSTATICALLY CHARGED NASAL APPLICATION PRODUCT WITH INCREASED STRENGTH” filed on Feb. 25, 2002. This patent application is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
       
    
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The Present Invention relates to the field of surgical and other permeable masks that are used to reduce transmission of airborne particulates and harmful airborne contaminants. It also relates to the field of electrostatic compositions that protect against the same harmful contaminants. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Healthcare professionals, personnel and visitors to such facilities as well as patients are particularly susceptible to infections spread by harmful contaminants found in operating rooms and other hospital facilities. Consequently, doctors and nurses employ a sterilization procedure and wear protective gear so as to prevent contaminants from their own bodies being transmitted to patients thereby infecting them. Surgical masks are worn by hospital personnel to prevent their own bacterial organisms from being transmitted to patients by respiratory secretions. Many other people wear surgical or other permeable masks. People with colds, particularly in Asian countries, wear these masks to avoid infecting others. Conversely, during times of airborne epidemics, many people wear the masks to avoid infection. Still others wear the masks in dusty environments to avoid inhaling the dust. 
     The Present Applicant has previously invented products and methods for restricting the flow of airborne contaminants into the nasal passages by creating an electrostatic field in an area near about the nasal passages. This reduced the inflow of airborne contaminants to the nasal passages by capturing these contaminants and keeping them from entering the body. These products and methods can be found in the Present Applicant&#39;s US patents and US provisional applications that have been incorporated by reference into the Present Application. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Surgical and other permeable masks are used to stop contaminants from entering the mouth and nose of people administering healthcare or working in other areas where there is a danger of having dangerous particles enter the oral and nasal passages. These masks, however, have pores that can still allow the smallest particles to pass through them. The Present Invention applies an electrostatic charge to the mask wherein said charge will reduce and/or eliminate this risk, by capturing oppositely charged contaminants ranging in size from 0 to 30 microns. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Various cationic and anionic liquids are known in the art which create an electrostatic field when applied to a surface. Some were described in the Present Applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,468,488 (issued on Nov. 21, 1995), 5,674,481 (issued on Oct. 7, 1997), and 6,844,005 (issued on Jan. 18, 2005). Depending upon specific contaminants from which protection is sought, the fabric of the mask is coated with one of these liquid or semi-solid products. After application, the coating is dried completely or semi-dried. It may also be allowed to remain wet. After application of the coating, these products provide an electrostatic field around the mask which either repels similarly charged particulates or attracts oppositely charged contaminant particles. Those contaminant particles that are brought to the mask bind to the fabric through electrostatic attraction. They do not travel away from the mask. Therefore, these outside airborne contaminants that are attracted to the mask do not enter the mask wearer&#39;s nose or mouth, and these contaminants that are attracted to the mask and are expelled from the wearer&#39;s nose or mouth do not travel beyond the mask even though they might be smaller than the permeable openings in the mask. On the other hand, those particles that are repelled from the mask will not pass through the mask in either direction regardless of size. 
     There are several ways to fabricate the above product all essentially with the primary objective of increasing the filtration efficiency of the mask.
         The fabric used to make the mask can itself be coated with the cationic or anionic agent, which dries and becomes part of the fabric.   The material used to make a non-fabric mask can be coated with the cationic or anionic agent, which dries and becomes part of the material.   The finished mask itself may be coated with the cationic or anionic agent which, dries and becomes part of the mask prior to its packaging.   The cationic or anionic agent may be distributed in a bottle having an aerosol spray or pump action for “point of use” for any mask. This agent may be applied to the mask by the user just prior to use to enhance efficacy.       

     A formulation of the invention comprises:
         at least one quaternary conditioner;   a humectant;   a preservative;   a biocidic agent, and   a neutralizing agent added to adjust and achieve a pH in the range of 5.0 to 6.8.
 
It may also further comprise an emollient and/or a surfactant and/or a chelating agent. The formulation may either have an aqueous or non-aqueous base. Therefore, an embodiment of the formulation may also comprise water.
       

     In an exemplary embodiment of such a formulation, the amount of water may range from 64% to 77% by weight; quaternary conditioner (at least one must be present)—0.4% to 18% by weight; humectant—8% to 11% by weight; emollient—3% to 6% by weight; preservative—0.3% by weight; and biocidic agent—0.2% to 0.5% by weight. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of such a formulation, a quaternary conditioner may comprise, without limitation, a least one of the following:
         Polyquaternium-6   Polyquaternium-7   Polyquaternium-10   Polyquaternium-22   Polyquaternium-70   Merquat 280   Merquat 10   Merquat 5   Cocodimonium, Hydroxypropyl, Hydrolyzed Keratin   Quaternized Oat, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein   Benzylkonium Chloride.       

     In an exemplary embodiment of such a formulation, a humectant may comprise, without limitation Glycerin or Acetamide MEA. Also, in an exemplary embodiment, an emollient may comprise, without limitation Dipropylene Glycol. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, a surfactant may comprise, without limitation, Octoxynol-9. In addition, a chelating agent may comprise, without limitation, Tetrasodium EDTA. Finally, in an exemplary embodiment, a biocidic agent may comprise, without limitation, Lysine HCL. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of such a formulation, a preservative may comprise, without limitation:
         Phenoxyethanol   Caprylyl Glycol   Sorbic Acid   Gluconolactone   Sodium Benzoate   Methylparaben   Ethylparaben       

     In an exemplary embodiment of the formulation:
     a) the amount of water in the formulation ranges from 25% to 95% by weight;   b) the amount of the at least one quaternary conditioner in the formulation ranges from 0.4% to 18% by weight;   c) the amount of the humectant in the formulation ranges from 1% to 11% by weight;   d) the amount of the emollient in the formulation ranges from 1% to 8% by weight;   e) the amount of the preservative in the formulation is 0.3% by weight; and   f) the amount of the biocidic agent in the formulation ranges from 0.1% to 0.5% by weight.   

     Examples of typical formulations appear in Tables 1-10 (infra): 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ingredient 
                 Percent 
                 Functionality 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Water 
                 84%-93% 
                 Moisturizer, solvent 
               
               
                 Polyquaternium-10 
                 0.2%-1%   
                 Antistatic, film former 
               
               
                 Tetrasodium EDTA 
                 0.05% 
                 Chelating agent 
               
               
                 Lysine HCL 
                 0.2%-1%   
                 Bactericide 
               
               
                 Polyquaternium-6 
                 1%-2% 
                 Antistatic Agent, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Film Former 
               
               
                 Glycerin 
                 1%-2% 
                 Humectant 
               
               
                 Propylene Glycol 
                 4%-7% 
                 Solvent 
               
               
                 Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, 
                 1%-2% 
                 Preservative 
               
               
                 Sorbic Acid 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ingredient 
                 Percent 
                 Functionality 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Water 
                 94%-98% 
                 Moisturizer, solvent 
               
               
                 Polyquaternium-10 
                 0.2%-0.6% 
                 Antistatic, film former 
               
               
                 Octoxynol-9 
                 0.2%-0.6% 
                 Surfactant 
               
               
                 Lysine HCL 
                 0.1% 
                 Bactericide 
               
               
                 Polyquaternium-6 
                 0.5%-1.5% 
                 Antistatic Agent, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Film Former 
               
               
                 Glycerin 
                 0.2%-0.6% 
                 Humectant 
               
               
                 Propylene Glycol 
                 0.2%-0.6% 
                 Solvent 
               
               
                 Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, 
                 0.5%-1.5% 
                 Preservative 
               
               
                 Sorbic Acid 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ingredient 
                 Percent 
                 Functionality 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Water 
                 85%-96% 
                 Solvent, Moisturizer 
               
               
                 Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate 
                 0.5%-1.5% 
                 Preservative 
               
               
                 Lycine HCL 
                 0.1% 
                 Amino Acid 
               
               
                 Acetamide MEA 
                   1%-3.5% 
                 Humectant 
               
               
                 Dipropylene Glycol 
                 2%-5% 
                 Emollient 
               
               
                 Cocodimonium, Hydroxypropyl, 
                 1%-4% 
                 Conditioner 
               
               
                 Hydrolyzed Keratin 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ingredient 
                 Percent 
                 Functionality 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Water 
                 78%-90% 
                 Solvent, Moisturizer 
               
               
                 Gluconolactone, 
                 0.5%-1.5% 
                 Preservative 
               
               
                 Sodium Benzoate 
               
               
                 AC Silk Amino Acid 
                  0.1%-0.35% 
                 Amino Acid 
               
               
                 Acetamide MEA 
                 1%-3% 
                 Humectant 
               
               
                 Dipropylene Glycol 
                 2.5%-4.5% 
                 Emollient 
               
               
                 Cocodimonium, 
                 1%-3% 
                 Conditioner 
               
               
                 Hydroxypropyl, 
               
               
                 Hydrolyzed Keratin 
               
               
                 Polyquaternuim - 22 
                 5%-9% 
                 Quaternary Conditioner 
               
               
                 Sodium Hydroxide 
                 0.1%-0.2% 
                 pH Adjustment 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Ingredient 
                 Percent 
                 Functionality 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Water 
                 87%-96% 
                 Solvent, Moisturizer 
               
               
                   
                 Methylparaben 
                 0.1%-0.4% 
                 Preservative 
               
               
                   
                 Ethylparaben 
                 0.05% 
                 Preservative 
               
               
                   
                 Acetamide MEA 
                   1%-3.5% 
                 Humectant 
               
               
                   
                 Dipropylene Glycol 
                 1.5%-4%   
                 Emollient 
               
               
                   
                 Atoligomer 
                  0.5% 
                 Minerals 
               
               
                   
                 Polyquaternium - 70 
                 0.1%-0.3% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                   
                 Quaternized Oat 
                 0.5%-2%   
                 Conditioner 
               
               
                   
                 Benzylkonium Chloride 
                 0.5%-2%   
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                   
                 Sodium Hydroxide 
                 Trace 
                 pH Adjustment 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ingredient 
                 Percent 
                 Functionality 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Water 
                 87%-96% 
                 Solvent, Moisturizer 
               
               
                 Methylparaben 
                  0.2% 
                 Preservative 
               
               
                 Ethylparaben 
                 0.05% 
                 Preservative 
               
               
                 Acetamide MEA 
                 1%-3% 
                 Humectant 
               
               
                 Dipropylene Glycol 
                 2%-5% 
                 Emollient, Minerals 
               
               
                 Polyquaternium - 70 
                 0.1%-0.3% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Hydroxypropyltrimonium, 
                 0.5%-2%   
                 Quat/Protein/ 
               
               
                 Hydrolyzed Oat Protein 
                   
                 Conditioner 
               
               
                 Benzylkonium Chloride 
                 0.5%-2%   
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Sodium Hydroxide 
                 Trace 
                 pH Adjustment 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ingredient 
                 Percent 
                 Functionality 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Water 
                 74%-89% 
                 Solvent, Moisturizer 
               
               
                 Acetamide MEA 
                 1%-3% 
                 Humectant 
               
               
                 Methylparaben 
                  0.2% 
                 Preservative 
               
               
                 Ethylparaben 
                 0.05% 
                 Preservative 
               
               
                 Dipropylene Glycol 
                   2%-4.5% 
                 Emollient, Minerals 
               
               
                 Polyquaternium - 70 
                 0.1%-0.3% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Cocodimonium Hydroxy-propyl 
                  0.2%-0.75% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Hydrolyzed Keratin 
               
               
                 Polyquaternium - 7 
                   1%-3.5% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Polyquaternium - 22 
                  7%-12% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Hydroxypropyltrimonium, 
                  0.2%-0.75% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Hydrolyzed Oat Protein 
               
               
                 Sodium Hydroxide 
                 Trace 
                 pH Adjustment 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 8 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ingredient 
                 Percent 
                 Functionality 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Water 
                 73%-86% 
                 Solvent, Moisturizer 
               
               
                 Acetamide MEA 
                 1%-3% 
                 Humectant 
               
               
                 Lysine HCL 
                 0.05%-0.3%  
                 Biocide, conditioner 
               
               
                 Octoxynol-9 
                 0.1% 
                 Surfactant 
               
               
                 Methylparaben 
                 0.2% 
                 Preservative 
               
               
                 Ethylparaben 
                 0.05%  
                 Preservative 
               
               
                 Dipropylene Glycol 
                 2%-5% 
                 Emollient, Minerals 
               
               
                 Polyquaternium - 70 
                 0.1%-0.4% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Cocodimonium Hydroxy-propyl 
                 0.25%-1%   
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Hydrolyzed Keratin 
               
               
                 Polyquaternium - 7 
                   1%-3.5% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Polyquaternium - 22 
                  9%-12% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Hydroxypropyltrimonium, 
                 0.25%-1%   
                 Quat/Protein/ 
               
               
                 Hydrolyzed Oat Protein 
                   
                 Conditioner 
               
               
                 Sodium Hydroxide 
                 0.2% 
                 pH Adjustment 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 9 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ingredient 
                 Percent 
                 Functionality 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Water 
                 64%-77% 
                 Solvent, Moisturizer 
               
               
                 Glycerin 
                  8%-11% 
                 Humectant 
               
               
                 Dipropylene Glycol 
                 3%-6% 
                 Emollient, Solvent 
               
               
                 Lysine HCL 
                 0.2%-0.5% 
                 Biocide, Conditioner 
               
               
                 Methylparaben 
                 0.3% 
                 Preservative 
               
               
                 Cocodimonium Hydroxy-Propyl 
                 0.1%-0.3% 
                 Solvent, Moisturizer 
               
               
                 Hydrolyzed Keratin 
               
               
                 Polyquaternium - 7 
                 1%-4% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Merquat 280 10 5 
                  9%-12% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Hydroxypropyltrimonium, 
                 0.4%-0.6% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Hydrolyzed Oat Protein 
               
               
                 Polyquaternium - 70 
                 0.4%-0.6% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 50% Benzalkonium Chloride 
                 0.4%-0.6% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Sodium Hydroxide 
                 0.1%-0.2% 
                 pH Adjustment 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 10 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ingredient 
                 Percent 
                 Functionality 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Water 
                 69%-78% 
                 Solvent, Moisturizer 
               
               
                 Glycerin 
                  9%-11% 
                 Humectant 
               
               
                 Lysine HCL 
                 0.5%-1.5% 
                 Biocide, Conditioner 
               
               
                 Methylparaben 
                  0.3% 
                 Preservative 
               
               
                 Cocodimonium Hydroxy-Propyl 
                 0.2%-0.6% 
                 Solvent, Moisturizer 
               
               
                 Hydrolyzed Keratin 
               
               
                 Polyquaternium - 7 
                 2%-3% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Polyquaternium - 22 
                  9%-12% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Hydroxypropyltrimonium, 
                 0.4%-0.6% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Hydrolyzed Oat Protein 
               
               
                 Polyquaternium - 70 
                 0.5%-1.5% 
                 Quat/Conditioner 
               
               
                 Sodium Hydroxide 
                 012% 
                 Neutralizing agent