GB2485443A

GB2485443A - Absorbent composition

Info

Publication number: GB2485443A
Application number: GB201118532A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Nutland
Original assignee: ORGANIC ABSORBANTS Ltd
Current assignee: ORGANIC ABSORBANTS Ltd
Priority date: 2010-10-26
Filing date: 2011-10-26
Publication date: 2012-05-16
Also published as: GB201018083D0; GB201118532D0

Abstract

An absorbent composition comprises a powdered, granular or particulate material comprising a highly absorbent polymer and an extender or filler which acts to keep largely separate the particles of polymer within the composition. The polymer e.g. a polyacrylate polymer, may be a superabsorbent polymer and have an absorbency factor of at least 20:1. The extender may be coir pith. The composition may be used for cleaning up of water based spills or for supporting and growing plants. The composition may be provided in a package.

Description

t V.' INTELLECTUAL ..* PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. GB 1118532.9 RTM Date:12 March 2012 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document:

LUQUASORB

Intellectual Properly Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk

ABSORBENT COMPOSITION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to absorbent compositions and their use in, for instance, the cleaning up of water-based spills and the provision of growth media for plants.

Background to the Invention

Suitably absorbent compositions may have a number of applications. As an example, there are many situations where harmfttl liquids require cleaning up and this can often require significant amounts of equipment.

Simple spills such as body fluids (urine & vomit) require equipment such as dust pan and brush, a mop and cleaning liquids, anti-bacterial wipes and signage while the floors become dry and safe.

Health and safety directives dictate that operators follow all precautions to safeguard both their own welfare but also that of the general public.

There is a need for a product that will enable a water-based spill to be cleaned up quickly, simply and safely Furthermore, it would be advantageous to be able to obtain a totally disposable cleaning method which eliminates the need for cleaning the equipment after use.

Another example where highly absorbent compositions are potentially of use is in the area of growth media for plants. Again there is a need for a product which can be supplied in a compact form but which will expand, on application of water, to a suitable size for plant development and the provision of water and other nutrients.

Statements of the Invention

The present invention provides a composition comprising a powdered, granular or particulate material comprising a highly absorbent polymer and an extender or filler which acts to keep largely separate the particles of polymer within the composition.

The polymer preferably has an absorbency factor of at least 20:1, that is to say, 1 gram of the polymer will absorb 20 grams of water. More preferably the absorbency factor is at least 30:1 and most preferably at least 40:1.

The polymer may be a type of polymer known as a superabsorbent polymer (SAP), also known as a super water absorbent polymer. It may be a polyacrylate polymer, for instance, sodium polyacrylate, or a cationic polyacrylamide. It may absorb many times (perhaps 450 -600 times its own weight) of water.

A particular example of a polymer of use in the present invention is the superabsorbent polymer manufactured by BASF and sold under the name Luquasorb 1161. This material is a white powder and has a free swell capacity (gig) of 389 for distilled water and 51 for 0.9% NaCl. The centrifuged retention capacity (g/g) is 253 for distilled water and 34 for NaCl 0.9%. The absorbency under load (SOgicm2, g/g) is 20. The pH at 5g/l, NaCI 0.9% is 6. The apparent specific gravity (g/ml) is approximately 0.7. The Vortex Test is 68 and the particle size distribution (%) is as follows: >850im <1 600-850j.xm 2 300-600p.m 69 150-300im 23 45-l5ORm <45j.xm <1 The extender is preferably a material which is also water absorbent and a particular example is coir pith. The extender reduces the tendency of the SAP to leave the floor somewhat slippy if used alone. The coir may be in the form of, for instance, chipped coir or milled coir.

The present invention also provides a package comprising a container accommodating a composition of the invention.

In one preferred embodiment, the container has two detachable parts, the first part being usable to scrape up material treated by the composition and the second part to contain the scraped up material.

Accordingly, the package is provided as one which contains the composition within a container. The container then breaks open in a manner which provides an arrangement for recovery of spills after treatment with the composition The nature of the composition is that it can turn a water-based spill almost instantly into a solid for safe disposal.

Preferably the composition also contains both a fragrance providing material and a biocide to make cleaning more pleasant, as well as safe from germs and bacteria.

The package may also contain one or more items of safety equipment such as gloves, anti-bacterial or antiseptic wipes and a safety mask.

The invention also provides a method of cleaning up water-based spills, the method applying a composition of the invention to the spill and collecting the resultant material for disposal.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the container forming part of the package is a sealed bag having a bag wall with a region indicated for removal to expose sufficient composition to enable a plant to be planted therein.

The composition may include coir (for instance, milled or chip coir), a mineral such as vermiculite, a lightly absorbent polymer such as SAP and appropriate plant nutrients.

The container may be a sealed bag made from a retaining film such as polythene, UV resistant polythene, paper, an absorbent material or a degradable film such as corn starch or degradable plastics. The film can vary in thickness and desired life span and it may be either recyclable or disposable via a composting process.

The container may be in tray form with single or multiple cells which could include the plant or plant precursor in the composition. The tray can be open-topped or sealed with, for instance, a tear off film.

Where the container is provided in a multiple cell form, it may be in a sheet or quilted form of any length and with rows of cells of any width. Where the cells are closed, they each may be of small volume and the sheet of cells can be rolled or stretched until ready for use by the addition of water to expand the composition.

The growth medium may be supplied on its own and may be used in much the same way as conventional compost but providing a concentrated and comprehensive growth medium. Loose material may be added to seed frays of single or multiple cell type and then reconstituted for use by the addition of water.

In addition, the invention provides a method of growing plants comprising providing a package of the invention, forming a hole in the container of said package and planting a plant or a plant precursor, such as a seed or graft, in the composition via said hole.

Description of the accompanying drawings

The accompanying drawings are as follows:-Figure 1 shows a container of the package of the present invention being broken apart; Figure 2 shows the container of Figure 1 in two pieces; Figure 3 shows a further package of the present invention with the composition in its unexpanded form; Figure 4 shows the package of Figure 3 with the composition in its expanded form; and Figure 5 shows various further embodiments of the present invention with packages of different shapes and structures.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention will now be described, by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, a first embodiment of a package in accordance with the present invention includes a container made from carton or corrugated board and will be constructed or engineered so that it breaks open in a manner such that it retains an ability to recover a spill using the composition of the invention in a pouch or as loose absorbent material. Thus, the composition of the invention may typically be provided within one or more pouches contained within the container but these pouches could be ripped open to be able to tip the absorbent material out, particularly for the more viscous materials such as vomit.

The pouches may include a superabsorbent polymer and coir pith as well as biocide and a fragrance. The pouch can be made of a permeable membrane or a solid based material such as polythene or polypropylene. In general, the material is chosen to hold the contents in a totally controlled environment until they are required for use. A non-permeable membrane may be used, in particular, to keep out atmospheric moisture or retain odour.

The superabsorbent polymer (SAP) may be the BASF product Luquasorb 1161 or such other absorbent that is synthetic (man-made) and has a very high absorbency rate for water-based liquids. It also contains a filler or extender which can be less absorbent, equally absorbent or which has faster absorbency properties. The filler is present to segregate the grains or particles of SAP. In this way, the SAP is fully exposed to the liquid being absorbed and is able to maximise its potential in terms of both absorbency and the time taken to complete the action.

The filler may be man-made (synthetic) or of an organic nature and the latter may be preferred so that the waste can degrade more effectively.

The biocide may be chosen to kill most known germs and make the recovered spill safer and more appropriate for addition to landfill or as green waste.

The package of the invention may be used in one of two ways:- 1. The container is opened to reveal the contents, described above in whole or part and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In effect, the container, when broken apart, forms a disposable dust pan and brush. The pouch or pouches of absorbent material (when contained in a permeable membrane) are applied to the spill without breaking open and will absorb the spill through the absorbent membrane. When dealing with the spill, the pouch or pouches may be turned or moved to increase exposure of the spill to the pouch and speed up recovery.

Where more than one pouch is available, the final recovery will be done with either an unused pouch or the driest available pouch and then the floor or surface can be finally cleaned and made safe with the wipe provided.

2. Where the spill requires loose absorbent or where the pouch is made of non-absorbent material, the contents will be open and applied to the whole or part of the spill, so that it is absorbed and cleaned by the operator using the top of the box as a scoop or scraper.

Both of the above methods involve completion of the task with either solid (unopened pouches) or loose absorbent being scraped into the container for disposal.

It should be appreciated that the method of opening the container may vary in design from one container to another, but must leave the container usable for recovering material. Furthermore, the part of the container broken off must be capable of handling or controlling the waste material in a manner such that the operator does not need to touch the spill.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings a second embodiment of a package in accordance with the present invention includes a container 1 which, as shown in Figure 3 is rectangular in plan, of relatively small thickness and provided with expandable side walls 2. Container 1 accommodates a mixture of coir, vermiculite, fertiliser and SAP. Container 1 may be marked with an oval 3 on one of its large sides and the material of the container may be cut from the side 5 to provide a hole revealing the SAP containing composition. Water may be poured into the composition via the hole in the wall 5 and the nature of the composition is such that it may easily expand to three to four times its original volume with a S corresponding expansion of the container 1, as illustrated in Figure 4.

Such a package may be used in many situations where it is desired to cultivate plants.

It may be termed an "instant brick", a "growing log", a "one stop pot", an "all in the bag" or an "expander-pot". It may be used, for instance, as a house window box or by occupants of flats caravans and boats. Its shape ensures great stability so that it will not fall over.

The size of the package may vary depending on the plants to be grown, for instance, tomatoes, potatoes and herbs.

Referring to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated various shapes and designs of packages which may be used for growing plants. For instance, the package may be provided in the form of a strip pack, as illustrated in Figures SA and SE, which can be used in a "hanging garden" mode or from which individual bags may be detached (as illustrated). The package may be provided in a "quad pack" form (Figure SB), pyramidal form (Figure SC) and it may include markings on one or more sides to indicate where the bag may be cut to provide a re-closable opening (Figure SD) A package in accordance with the present invention may be provided with a carrier handle (Figure SF). It may be designed to operate as a stand-up pouch (Figure SG). It may be provided with a "nick knife" (Figure SH). In block form, the package may be provided with a gable top (Figure SI) or a block top (Figure SJ).

Figure 5K shows a block top package having a transparent window in one side wall providing a water gauge facility, for instance, colour coded and/or indicating whether the composition is wet or dry.

In its upper surface it may be provided with a central round or oval outline to define a cut-out portion which may be removed to provide a hole to enable the media plant to be introduced.

In general, containers of the present invention are very light and provide a concentrated amount of the composition which can expand for use as a plant growing medium. A package of the invention may be suitable for one or more of indoor and outdoor applications. The growing medium may contain everything necessary for a full season of growth.

A package of the present invention occupies relatively little storage space and enables transport costs to be kept to a minimum.

The packaging film can be of any suitable material and may be supplied in different designs, for instance, terracotta, log grain or wooden planter.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A composition comprising a powdered, granular or particulate material comprising a highly absorbent polymer and an extender or filler which acts to keep largely separate the particles of polymer within the composition.
2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymer has an absorbency factor of at least 20:1.
3. A polymer according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the polymer has an absorbency factor of at least 30:1.
4. A composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the absorbency factor is at least 40:1.
5. A composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the polymer is a superabsorbent polymer.
6. A composition according to claim 5, wherein the polymer is a polyacrylate polymer.
7. A composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the extender is a water absorbent material.
8. A composition according to claim 7, wherein the extender is coir pith.
9. A package comprising a container accommodating a composition of any of the preceding claims.
10. A package according to claim 9, wherein the container has two detachable parts, the first part being usable to scrape up material treated by the composition and the second part to contain the scraped up material.
11. A package according to claim 10, wherein the composition of the invention is contained within one or more pouches within the container.
12. A method of cleaning up water-based spills, the method applying a composition of any of claims I to 8 to the spill and collecting the resultant material for disposal.
13. A method according to claim 12 and including using a package of claims 9 to 11 in order to collect and contain the resultant material.
14. A package according to claim 9, wherein the container is a sealed bag having a bag wall with a region indicated for removal to expose sufficient composition to enable a plant to be planted therein.
15. A method of growing plants comprising providing a package according to claim 9, forming a bole in the container of said package, and planting a plant or a plant precursor in the composition via said hole.
16. A package according to claim 9 and substantially as herein described.*
17. A method according to claim 12 or claim 15 and substantially as herein described.