COMPOSITION, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TREATING STAINS AND ODORS

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a composition and method for treating stains and odors using an oxidizing agent and Bacillus spores. The composition preferably comprises a two part formula, a first part comprising the oxidizing agent and water and optionally an ionic surfactant and fragrance, and a second part comprising a liquid Bacillus spores composition or a dry Bacillus spores powder composition. The preferred Bacillus can include B. licheniformis, B. subtilis, B. pumilus, and B. megaterium spores. The preferred oxidizer is hydrogen peroxide. The parts of the treatment composition are mixed together in-situ at the site of treatment to maintain the viability of the Bacillus spores. The preferred composition and method allow for the combined treatment of stains and odors with an oxidizer and Bacillus spores.

Claims

1. A composition for treating an area having a stain containing organic matter or an odor caused by organic matter, the composition comprising: a first part comprising an oxidizing agent; and a second part comprising Bacillus spores, wherein at least some of the Bacillus spores remain viable and germinate into Bacillus vegetative cells that continue to be capable of growth on the organic matter for at least six hours after the first and second parts are combined together and applied to the area.

2. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the first part comprises about 0.15-2.5% hydrogen peroxide (27.5% active) and about 90-99% water, by weight; optionally a surfactant; and optionally a fragrance.

3. The composition according to claim 2 wherein the first part further comprises about 0.20-0.50% surfactant.

4. The composition according to claim 3 wherein the surfactant is an anionic surfactant, sodium lauryl sulfate or SDS or other SLS derivatives.

5. The composition according to claim 3 wherein the first part further comprises about 0.03-0.07% fragrance.

6. The composition according to claim 1 wherein at least some of the Bacillus spores remain viable and capable of growth for at least 24 hours after the first and second parts are combined together and applied to the area.

7. A composition for treating an area having a stain containing organic matter or an odor caused by organic matter, the composition comprising: an oxidizing agent and Bacillus spores.

8. The composition according to claim 7 wherein the Bacillus spores are viable to germinate for at least 6 hours after applying to the area and capable of growth and degrading organic matter for at least 24 hours applying to the area.

9. The composition according to claim 7 wherein the oxidizer is hydrogen peroxide and the Bacillus spores are one or more of B. amyloliquefaciens, B. clausii, B. circulans, B. coagulans, B. firmus, B. lactis, B. laterosporus, B. laevolacticus, B. lentus, B. licheniformis, B. megaterium, B. mucilaginosus, B. mycoides, B. olymyxa, B. polyfermenticus, B. pumilus, B. simplex, B. sphaericus, and B. subtilis.

10. The composition according to claim 9 wherein the hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous solution comprising about 0.15-2.5% (27.5% active) hydrogen peroxide.

11. The composition according to claim 10 wherein the Bacillus spores are in a dry powder form or an aqueous solution.

12. The composition according to claim 11 wherein the dry powder form comprises around 10-30% Bacillus spores, around 70-90% sodium bicarbonate, and around 0.1-1% powder lubricant.

13. The composition according to claim 11 wherein the Bacillus aqueous solution comprises around 90-99% water, around 0.05-0.5% preservative, around 0.1-0.7% Bacillus spores, around 0.1-0.5% surfactant, and optionally around 0.1-1% fragrance and optionally around 0.5-3% alcohol.

14. A method of treating an area having a stain containing organic matter or an odor caused by organic matter, the method comprising: providing an oxidizer solution in a first container; providing one or more species of Bacillus spores in a second container; mixing the oxidizer solution and Bacillus spores at a location having the area in need of treatment to form an in-situ treatment composition; and applying the composition to the area to be treated, wherein at least some of the Bacillus spores are not killed or inactivated after mixing with the oxidizer solution.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the oxidizer solution comprises water and hydrogen peroxide and the Bacillus spores comprise one or more of B. amyloliquefaciens, B. clausii, B. circulans, B. coagulans, B. firmus, B. lactis, B. laterosporus, B. laevolacticus, B. lentus, B. licheniformis, B. megaterium, B. mucilaginosus, B. mycoides, B. olymyxa, B. polyfermenticus, B. pumilus, B. simplex, B. sphaericus, and B. subtilis.

16. A method of treating a local area having a stain or odor, the method comprising: providing a sealable first container and a sealable second container, each comprising a body and a lid, wherein at least a portion of one of the containers is configured to lock fit to at least a portion of the other container to lock the containers together, wherein the first container contains a liquid oxidizer composition and the second container contains a liquid Bacillus spore composition that does not contact the liquid oxidizer composition inside the locked together containers; and squeezing the locked together containers simultaneously to release a stream of the oxidizer composition and a stream of the liquid Bacillus spore composition with the two streams mixing together outside of the containers; odor; applying the mixed stream to the local area having the stain or wherein the Bacillus spores remain viable and capable of germination for at least 6 hours after the mixed stream is applied to the local area and the germinated Bacillus spores remain viable and capable of growth for at least 24 hours after the mixed stream is applied to the local area.

17. A method of treating a local area having a stain or odor, the method comprising: providing a first container comprising a body and a lid, the first container containing a liquid oxidizer composition; providing a second container containing a dry powder Bacillus spore composition; opening the first and second containers; adding the dry powder Bacillus spore composition from the second container to the first container to form a liquid treatment composition; applying the liquid treatment composition to the local area in need of treatment; and wherein the Bacillus spores remain viable and capable of germination for at least 6 hours after the liquid treatment composition is applied to the local area and the germinated Bacillus spores remain viable and capable of growth for at least 24 hours after the liquid treatment composition is applied to the local area.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the second container comprises the lid of the first container and a seal that keeps the dry powder Bacillus spore composition from contacting the liquid oxidizer composition prior to the opening and adding steps and wherein adding the dry powder comprises removing or puncturing the seal on the lid.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the second container contains around 0.48-0.58 grams of the dry powder Bacillus spore composition and the first container contains around 8-12 ounces of the liquid oxidizer composition.

20. A system for treating an area having a stain containing organic matter or an odor caused by organic matter, the system comprising: a first container containing a liquid oxidizer composition; a second container containing a Bacillus spore composition; and wherein at least some of the Bacillus spores remain viable and germinate into Bacillus vegetative cells that continue to be capable of growth on the organic matter for at least six hours after a liquid treatment composition of the liquid oxidizer composition and the Bacillus spore composition is applied to the area having the stain or odor.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein at least a portion of one of the containers is configured to lock fit to at least a portion of the other container to lock the first and second containers together; wherein the Bacillus spore composition is a liquid that does not contact the liquid oxidizer composition inside the locked together containers; and wherein the containers are configured to mix a stream of the liquid oxidizer composition discharged from the first container and a stream of the liquid Bacillus spore composition discharged from the second container when squeezed.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein the Bacillus spore composition is a dry powder, wherein the first container comprises a bottle and a lid, wherein the second container comprises the lid of the first container and a seal, and wherein the bottle is configured to receive a dry powder Bacillus spore composition from the second container to form a liquid treatment composition and the seal is configured to keep the dry powder Bacillus spore composition from contacting the liquid oxidizer composition prior to the dry powder being received in the bottle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The embodiments described herein may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0049] FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a carpet square post treatment with the 2-part mixture after 24 hour incubation of the carpet square on TSA plate in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of growth from carpet pile is readily seen and not obscured by the carpet square in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of growth from carpet square at Time 0 immediately after treatment in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of growth from carpet square at 2 Hours after treatment in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0053] FIG. 5 is an exemplary embodiment of growth from carpet square at 4 Hours after treatment in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 6 is an exemplary embodiment of growth from carpet square at 6 Hours after treatment in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0055] FIG. 7 is an exemplary embodiment of growth from carpet square at 24 Hours after treatment in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0056] A stain and odor treatment composition and system according to one preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a two part formula, a Part One liquid composition containing an oxidizer and a Liquid Part Two liquid composition comprising Bacillus spores or a Dry Part Two powder composition comprising Bacillus spores. When the two parts are combined together by the user in-situ, the two parts combine to form the final treatment composition. By combining the parts in-situ, the beneficial use of both an oxidizer and a Bacillus spores treatments, in combination, are obtained, which would not be possible if the parts were pre-mixed prior to commercial sale since the Bacillus spores would no longer be viable once it reached the consumer and point of application given the amount of time the Bacillus spores would be in contact with the oxidizer in a pre-mixed formula.

[0057] According to one preferred embodiment, Part One comprises water and an oxidizer and optionally comprises a fragrance and a surfactant. Preferably, Part One of the formula comprises 90-99% water and 0.15-2.5% hydrogen peroxide (27.5% active), and optionally 0.10-0.75% surfactant and 0.01-0.20% fragrance. Most preferably, Part One of the formula comprises 96-99% water, 0.20-2.5% hydrogen peroxide (27.5% active), 0.20-0.50% surfactant, and 0.03-0.07% fragrance. These percentages are by weight. If an optional surfactant is used, it is preferably a negatively charged surfactant, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, which allows osmotic inhabitation to occur for continuation of cleaning and detergent activity on soils and odors. Other surfactants may also be used. The hydrogen peroxide used is preferably cosmetic grade, but other solutions may be used with modifications to the amount of ingredients in the First Part of the formula as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0058] The Second Part of the formula may comprise a Liquid Part Two or a Dry Part Two, both of which comprise one or more species of Bacillus in spore form. Spore-forming Bacillus species that may be used include, but are not limited to, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. clausii, B. circulans, B. coagulans, B. firmus, B. lactis, B. laterosporus, B. laevolacticus, B. lentus, B. licheniformis, B. megaterium, B. mucilaginosus, B. mycoides, B. olymyxa, B. polyfermenticus, B. pumilus. B. simplex, B. sphaericus, B. subtilis. Those skilled in the art will know that any Bacillus species that is spore-former competent may also be used. More preferably, at least one of the species used in the Second Part is B. subtilis spores because they are generally more resistant to hydrogen peroxide exposure than other Bacillus species. Preferably, the Second Part comprises B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, and B. megaterium, and optionally B. pumilus. Most preferably, the Second Part comprises two B. subtilis strains, two B. licheniformis strains, one B. megaterium strain, and one B. pumilus strain.

[0059] According to one preferred embodiment, Liquid Part Two is a Bacillus spore treatment which comprises water, a preservative, one or more species of Bacillus spores, and a surfactant; and may optionally contain alcohol and fragrance. Preferably, Liquid Part Two comprises 90-99% water, 0.05-0.5% preservative, 0.1-0.7% Bacillus spores, and 0.1-0.5% surfactant. Optionally, the Liquid Second Part may contain 0.1-1.0% fragrance and 0.5-3% alcohol. Most preferably, the Liquid Second Part of the formula comprises around 98.1111% water, around 0.1% preservative, around 0.3867% Bacillus spores, around 0.2% surfactant, around 0.05% fragrance, and may contain around 1.0-2.5% alcohol. These percentages are by weight.

[0060] In another preferred embodiment, Dry Part Two comprises a dry Bacillus spore powder, which may be packaged together with sodium bicarbonate, which has several functions, i.e., a diluent, a pH buffer, or a deodorizer; and a powder lubricant. Preferably, Dry Part Two comprises 10-30% of one or more species of Bacillus spores, 70-90% sodium bicarbonate, and 0.1-1.0 powder lubricant. Most preferably, Dry Part Two comprises 14.5% bacterial spores, 84.5% sodium bicarbonate, and 0.5% powder lubricant. These percentages are by weight.

[0061] According to one preferred embodiment, a treatment system according to the invention comprises two containers, one for holding Part One and the other for holding Part Two of the composition separate from the Part One during shipment and storage. The two parts are then mixed together at the point of use to treat an area having a stain containing organic matter or an odor caused by organic matter. According to another preferred embodiment, a treatment system comprises a single container that is divided or compartmentalized to maintain Part One and Part Two separate from each other so they do not contact each other until the time of application to a treatment area.

[0062] According to one preferred embodiment of a treatment system, Part One and Liquid Part Two are filled (packaged) into two separate bottles that are sold together so that the two parts remain separate until the contents from both bottles are applied to the treatment area. According to another preferred embodiment, the two separate bottles may be connected together in various configurations allowing the contents of the bottles to be applied simultaneously or substantially simultaneously. In one embodiment, the two bottles are locked together by a single top. After filling, the top used for the locking bottles securely fits onto both bottles. The two treatment formulas in the locking bottles are then labeled, packaged, shipped and sold as one unit. When the two part bottle is squeezed, preferably a top, lid, or nozzle releases a stream of Part One and a stream of Liquid Part Two, and the two streams are mixed together to form one treatment composition in-situ. The mixed stream is applied directly to the treatment area. Separate streams of the Part One and Liquid Part Two that are applied substantially simultaneously or in substantially immediate sequential succession to a treatment area may also be used.

[0063] According to another preferred embodiment of a treatment system, when using the Part One and Dry Part Two treatment mixture, the Part One is packaged and sold in a bottle or container that holds around 8-12 ounces. A smaller sized bottle or container is preferred since the formula is designed for single-use applications, so that the entire contents of the bottle, once Part One and Dry Part Two are combined, would be applied to the treatment area. This limits the exposure time of the Bacillus spores to the hydrogen peroxide in the product. As the Bacillus spores in the formula will not survive long term exposure to the oxidizing agent, any treatment mixture not used soon after the two parts are combined would not be as effective. The size of the bottle or container in which Part One is packaged preferably provides sufficient space in the bottle or container to allow Dry Part Two to be added to Part One in-situ by the end-user. In one preferred embodiment, Dry Part Two may be separately contained in a pouch or other suitable container packaged and sold along with the bottle containing Part One of the treatment mixture, so that it is easily opened and emptied into the bottle containing the Part One of the treatment mixture. In another preferred embodiment, the Dry Part Two is sealed in a compartment or storage area within the lid or cap of the bottle containing the First Part of the formula. When ready for use, the user would remove or puncture the seal on the lid or cap (or open the separate pouch or container); and empty the Dry Part Two mixture into the bottle containing the First Part to combine the two parts of the formula. Most preferably, the bottle or container is shaken vigorously to mix the two parts of the formula prior to applying it by spraying or pouring onto the treatment area containing the spill or stain or malodorous spot.

[0064] The hydroxyl radicals react very quickly when the spores are added to the product. The contact time is not long enough for the hydroxyl radicals to inactivate or kill the spores. The short-lived, free, hydroxyl radicals have a half-life of approximately 10.sup.−9 seconds.

[0065] Testing has shown that the Dry Part Two Bacillus spores added to the Part One are not inactivated or killed by exposure to hydrogen peroxide and that the Bacillus spores are viable to germinate, and capable of growth and degrading organic matter for at least 24 hours after mixing the 2-part treatment and applying to carpet.

[0066] A treatment formula according to a preferred embodiment of the invention where Part One was mixed with Dry Part Two was tested on a 10×10 inch carpet sample to determine the viability of the spores after coming into contact with the oxidizing agent. A growth medium was applied to the carpet sample to simulate organic soils, spills, or stains. Once the treatment formula is applied to the carpet samples, the hydrogen peroxide foamed upon reaction with the organic growth medium, but the foaming dissipated after a few minutes. Rapid and vigorous reaction of the hydrogen peroxide with the organic matter is considered to negatively impact spore viability. However, these tests showed that the bacteria spores survived in the bottle after coming into contact with the hydrogen peroxide and on the carpet samples after the reaction between the hydrogen peroxide and the organic matter in the simulated spill.

[0067] Small sections of the carpet, approximately 1×1 inch, were periodically cut away after application of the treatment composition. Time “0” samples were immediately cut. The remainder of the carpet sample was covered with a sheet of foil, and placed in an incubator. Additional sections of the carpet were cut at 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, and 24 hours after application of the treatment composition. FIG. 1 illustrates how a carpet square was initially placed on the face of a TSA plate with the carpet pile side down onto the plate surface. Note that carpet backing obscures the growth that may be under the carpet square. The plates were incubated for a total of 48 hours. The amount of growth or no growth on the plate would indicate if the spores were killed or inactivated at any time during 24 hours incubation on the carpet sample.

[0068] FIG. 2 illustrates a change in procedure where the carpet square, pile side down, was removed from the plate surface after one hour. The plate incubation was continued for a total of 48 hours. The amount of growth or no growth on the plate indicates if the spores were killed or inactivated at any time during 24 hours incubation on the carpet sample. Any growth that was obscured by the carpet square is now visible to aid determination if the spores were still viable and able to grow.

[0069] FIG. 3 shows the viability of the spores via growth from the Time 0 square. Growth inside the box shows that the spores were not killed by the mixing of the 2-part treatment, and the spores were not killed during and after the application of the 2-part treatment composition to the carpet. The opaque lines show spore growth. The growth outside the square (shown in the oval) is from cutting of the swatch and should be disregarded. FIG. 4 through FIG. 7 show that the spores applied to the carpet via the 2-part treatment did not die while on carpet after 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, or 24 hours. Demonstrating that the Bacillus cells are viable, and capable of growth and degrading organic matter for at least 24 hours after mixing the 2-part treatment.

[0070] Spore counts were performed on the 2-part mixture immediately after mixing the parts together which is the Time 0 count. The 2-part mixture was retained, and set at Room Temperature (75° C.). Additional counts were done on the mixture at 2, 4, 6, and 24 hours post mixing the parts together. There was a decrease in count over the 24 hours, but the 24 hour decrease was only approximately 35% decrease (not kill) as shown in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Standard, heterotrophic plate counts on TSA were performed on the 2-part and stability of the bacteria spores when mixed with the hydrogen peroxide containing liquid from Time 0 until 24 hours. BACILLUS SPORES PER ML OF SAMPLE TIME AFTER LOXY CONTAINING DRY SPORE ADDITION OF SPORE POWDER POWDER (Bacillus spores per ml) Time 0 3.7 × 10.sup.8 Time 0 - Duplicate Count 3.9 × 10.sup.8 2 Hour 3.2 × 10.sup.8 2 Hour - Duplicate Count 3.5 × 10.sup.8 4 Hour 3.8 × 10.sup.8 4 Hour - Duplicate Count 3.3 × 10.sup.8 6 Hour 3.7 × 10.sup.8 6 Hour - Duplicate Count 3.4 × 10.sup.8  24 Hour * 1.3 × 10.sup.8 24 Hour Count - Duplicate Count * 1.3 × 10.sup.8

[0071] Based on this testing, the spores in the two part treatment composition will remain active and viable in the bottle (after mixing with the First Part of the formula containing the hydrogen peroxide) for at least 24 hours and will remain active and viable for at least 24 hours after the treatment composition is applied to an organic spill or stain. However, it is preferred to apply the treatment composition to the treatment area soon after mixing of the two parts, preferably within 30 minutes of mixing, to get the full effect of the combined treatment.

[0072] Other embodiments of the treatment formula were also tested using varying amounts of hydrogen peroxide. The spore survival evaluations at 5 minutes, 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, and 24 hours after mixing the spores with the hydrogen peroxide are shown in Table 2 below.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Time of Bacillus spore survival after 2-part mixture with Part One containing different amounts of hydrogen peroxide (H.sub.2O.sub.2). Spore Spore Spore Spore Spore Percent Survival Survival Survival Survival Survival H.sub.2O.sub.2 5 Minutes 2 Hours 4 Hours 6 Hours 24 Hours 1.43 0 0 0 0 0 0.71 Excellent Good Fair Fair Poor 0.285 Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent

[0073] These results indicate that the spores are viable for significant periods of time after mixing with higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, but that at a 1.43% hydrogen peroxide level the spores were not viable.

[0074] A preferred method of treating a stain or odor comprises providing an oxidizer part and a bacteria spores part; mixing the parts together at the location of the area having a stain or odor to be treated to form an in-situ treatment composition; and applying the treatment composition to the area with the stain or odor. Most preferably, the treatment composition is one according to invention described herein and other ingredients, such as a surfactant or fragrance, may also be added either at the treatment location or with one or more of the other ingredients at the place of production prior to commercial sale. After mixing, the bacteria spores remain viable for at least two hours, and may be viable for up to or longer than 24 hours. The user preferably periodically checks the treatment area after application of the treatment composition and may blot the area to test the effectiveness of removing the stain or odor.

[0075] Once satisfied with the level of treatment, the user may further blot the area to remove excess treatment composition and aid in drying the treatment area. After a period of time, usually at least 24 hours depending on the formulation of the treatment composition, once the bacteria are no longer viable to effectively treat the stain or odor, the user may blot or dry the treatment area and repeat the steps with a newly mixed batch of treatment composition. It is the preferred process that the composition be applied to the treatment area within 30 minutes, and more preferably within 10 minutes, of mixing Part One with Part Two of the composition for Part One to be at its peak performance.

[0076] Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate upon reading this specification and the description of preferred embodiments herein that modifications and alterations to the device may be made within the scope of the invention and it is intended that the scope of the invention disclosed herein be limited only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims to which the inventors are legally entitled.