EP1196520A1

EP1196520A1 - An insecticidal cleaner

Info

Publication number: EP1196520A1
Application number: EP00942268A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Helen Dolisznyj
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-06
Filing date: 2000-07-04
Publication date: 2002-04-17
Also published as: WO2001002525A1; GB2351737A; GB9915676D0; GB2351737B; AU5697000A

Abstract

An aqueous liquid surface cleaner which includes dilute acetic acid as an anti-smearing agent and a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, the cleaner after application to said surface being dried, by for example wiping, to leave a smear free layer of insecticide on said surface.

Description

An Insecticidal Cleaner

Field

This invention relates to an aqueous cleaner for hard surfaces, in particular but not exclusively for use on glass.

Background of Invention

Cleaners for use on windows or other hard surfaces are well known. It is common that window cleaners typically include in the ingredients water plus an anti-smear agent such as isopropyl alcohol or acetic acid and a wetting agent such as soap or detergent.

Aqueous based compositions for killing insects are also known, for example pyrethroids which are carried as an emulsion or dispersion in water, for example in US 5104 659 the pyrethroid is carried in a vinyl dispersion for coating objects in an insecticidal coating.

The present invention provides a smear free aqueous cleaner for hard surfaces and which has insecticidal properties.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided an aqueous liquid cleaner for cleaning surfaces which includes an anti-smearing agent and an insecticide, the anti-smear agent comprising an aqueous solution of acetic acid and the insecticide comprising at least one synthetic pyrethroid, the cleaner after application to said surface may wiped off to leave a smear free layer of insecticide on said surface.

Because the cleaner is largely water based it is environmentally friendly and easy to manufacture and use.

The aqueous solution of acetic acid comprises 1% - 5% by weight acetic acid, and may additionally include an aliphatic alcohol such as ethanol, methanol, or isopropyl aclcohol. Preferably at least 0.05% of alcohol is present in the mix.

Synthetic pyrethroids have the advantage that they have low toxicity to man and are light stable and are therefore not degraded by light and are hence suitable for use in a window cleaner. The pyrethroid is preferably a killing agent, and more preferably a mixture of a killing agent and a knockdown agent. Some synthetic pyrethroids serve as both killing agents and knockdown agents.

Typical knockdown agents are tetramethrin, D-tetramethrin, Allethrin, Bioallethrin "S" Isomer, Resmethrin, "S" Isomer, Cyfluthrin, Cyfluthrin-Beta, Cyhalothrin, Cyhalothrin- lambda, Imiprothrin, Cyphenothrin, Phenothrin, Prallethrin, Transfluthrin, and Bioresmethrin.

Typical killing agents are Bifenthrin, Bioresmethrin, Cyfluthrin, Cyfluthrin-beta , Cyhalothrin, Cyhalothrin- lambda, Cypermethrin , Cypermethrin-Alpha, Cypermethrin- Beta, Cypermethrin-Theta, Cypermethrin-Zeta, Cyphenothrin, Deltamethrin, Esfenvalerate , Fenpropathrin, Fenvalerate, Flucythrinate , Imiprothrin, Permethrin, D-phenothrin, Prallethrin, Resmethrin, and Transfluthrin.

Preferably the cleaner contains upto 0.2% each of the killing agent and knockdown agent, more preferably 0.1% and 0.08% respectively.

The preferred pyrethroids should have a toxicology profile making them suitable for use by the general public, and in particular should have low skin irritation and low toxicity by inhalation properties . The preferred materials are Permethrin ( 3 phenozybenzyl ( lRS,34S;lRS,3SR)-3-( 2 , 2 dichlorovinyl ) 2 , 2=dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate ) and Tetramethrin ( IUPAC name cyclohex-l-ene-1 , 2 dicarboximidomethyl ( IRS, 3RS ;=1RS , 3SR) -2 , 2-dimethyl-3- ( 2- methylprop-1-enyl) cyclopropane carboxylate) both of which are available from Hockley International Ltd. Stockport, England.

The cleaner also may include a synergist to enhance the power of the insecticides , preferably Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) (IUPAC name 5-( 2-( 2-butoxyethoxy)ethoxymethyl ) -6- propyl-1 , 3-benzodioxole) also available from Hockley International . The pyrethroids and synergist are formulated as a micro emulsion in water which may further include at least one of the following; a glycol anti-freeze agent, an aliphatic alcohol, and an emulsifying agent, and an additive for use in hard water areas. Preferably the micro-emulsion includes a blend of e ulsifiers for example, Berol 950 (available from Berol), Agrilan CA and Agrilan AC145 (available from Akros).

The cleaner is primarily for use on hard surfaces and when cleaning a hard surface, the surface is washed with an aqueous emulsion containing the cleaner and the washed surface is wiped to leave a residue of insecticide on the hard surface.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacture of a cleaner in which a masterbatch concentrate of insecticide is mixed with water, the masterbatch comprising at least one synthetic pyrethroid which is mixed with an emulsifying agent and water, the masterbatch being subsequently mixed with dilute acetic acid.

The preferred masterbatch contains: 8-12% Permethrin

6-10% Tetramethrin 10-14% Piperonyl Butoxide 3-7% Mono propylene glycol 6-20% Emulsifying agent the balance being water.

The masterbatch concentrate is mixed in a ratio of 1:99 with dilute acetic acid containing from 1-5% by weight of acetic acid in water.

For use in hardwater areas the masterbatch may contain 1-3% EDTA.

In some applications, for example spraying onto artificial flowers or plants, an insect attracting fragrance may be added to the masterbatch to deliberately attract insects onto a toxic surface.

Specific Example

The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the following example of an aqueous cleaner which is intended mainly for use on hard surfaces, for example window glass, ceramic tiles, floors, wooden surfaces, some painted surfaces, etc. The specific example should not be taken as unduly limiting the scope of the invention.

The cleaner in its broadest sense consists of a solution , emulsion or micro-emulsion of an acetic acid anti-smear agent and a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, in water. The preferred anti-smear agent is l%-5% by weight of acetic acid in water, and additionally may include an aliphatic alcohol such as isopropyl alcohol .

The insecticide should comprise a killing agent such as Permethrin 25/75 ( the term 25/75 refers to the relative amounts of Cis/Trans isomer present ) whose effect can be enhanced by the optional presence of a synergist for pyrethroid insecticides, such as Piperonyl Butoxide. In the preferred embodiment the insecticide also includes a pyrethroid knockdown agent, such as Tetramethrin.

The insecticides and synergist are formulated into a micro- emulsion master-batch concentrate with other ingredients in particular an emulsifying agent, an additive to facilitate use in hardwater areas, optionally an alcohol which helps the insecticide and synergist go into solution and/or emulsion, and optionally a glycol which acts as an anti- freeze in storage.

The specific example for a master batch contains the following formulation based on a total weight of 1000 parts : Permethrin 100 parts

Tetramethrin 80 parts

Piperonyl Butoxide 120 parts

Mono Propylene Glycol 30 parts Emulsifier 120 parts

EDTA 20 parts

The balance being water.

The masterbatch is mixed as follows:

1) The tetramethrin is dissolved into the PBO, which may require the application of heat. Samples may be removed to ensure complete dissolution.

2) The tetramethrin/PBO mix is added to the emulsifier blend and monopropylene glycol using a high speed mixer

(Still Type) and mixed until very aerated.

3 ) Water is added as a very slow stream with the mixer operating continuously and once all the water is added the mixing continues for at least a further half hour 4) EDTA may be added here, or preferably at the dilution stage.

The master batch concentrate is then mixed with dilute acetic acid containing about 2.25% acetic acid in water in the ration of 1 : 99 respectively, to form the cleaner.

The cleaner can be applied to a hard surface , especially window glass, by spraying or sponging, or any other method as is desired. The excess is then wiped-off using a cloth to leave a smear free water white transparent coating which is capable of killing insects. The insecticide should remain active for about three months and should not breakdown under the effect of sunlight. The masterbatch concentrate may optionally be mixed with water also containing isopropyl alcohol as the anti- smearing agent, preferably 6-15% IPA.

It is possible to utilise other killing agents besides Permethrin, especially other liquid killing agents. Those synthetic pyrethroids in solid form may be dissolved in suitable solvent but can only then be mixed into the masterbatch in lesser concentrations.

Alternative knockdown agents to Tetramethrin may also be used, preferably those that are soluble in PBO.

The cleaner may also include a fragrance which attracts insects so that insects are encouraged to land on toxic surfaces. This mixture is particularly suitable for application, preferably by spraying, onto artificial flowers.

Claims

1. An aqueous liquid cleaner for cleaning surfaces which includes an anti-smearing agent and an insecticide, wherein the anti-smearing agent comprises an aqeuous solution of acetic acid and the insecticide comprises at least one synthetic pyrethroid, and the cleaner after application to said surface is dried to leave a smear free layer of insecticide on said surface.

2. A cleaner as claimed in Claim 1 , the acetic acid solution contains 1-5% by weight of acetic acid.

3. A cleaner as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 , wherein the synthetic pyrethroid is a killing agent.

4. A cleaner as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the insecticide comprises a knockdown agent and a killing agent.

5. A cleaner as Claimed in Claim 4 wherein the cleaner includes about upto 0.2% killing agent, and preferably about 0.1%.

6. A cleaner as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5 wherein the killing agent is permethrin.

7. A cleaner as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 6 , wherein the cleaner includes upto 0.2 % of knock down agent, preferably about 0.08%.

8. A cleaner as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 7 , wherein the knockdown agent is tetramethrin.

9. A cleaner as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 8 and which further includes a synergist for the pyrethroid insecticide.

10. A cleaner as Claimed in Claim 9, wherein the synergist is piperonyl butoxide.

11. A cleaner as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein the cleaner includes about 0.1-0.2 % by weight synergist .

12. A cleaner as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the cleaner includes at least 0.05% by weight of an alcohol , preferably isobutanol or isopropanol .

13. A cleaner as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 and further including 0.06- 0.20% of at least one commercial emulsifying agent.

14. A cleaner as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13 and which further includes a glycol for anti-freeze during storage .

15. A method of manufacture of a cleaner in which a masterbatch concentrate of insecticide is mixed with water, the masterbatch comprising at least one synthetic pyrethroid which is mixed with an emulsifying agent, an alcohol , and water , the masterbatch being subsequently mixed with aqueous acetic acid as an anti-smear agent.