WO1992000009A1

WO1992000009A1 - Antimicrobial material and methods

Info

Publication number: WO1992000009A1
Application number: PCT/US1991/004216
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donald E. Weder
Original assignee: Highland Supply Corporation
Priority date: 1990-06-14
Filing date: 1991-06-13
Publication date: 1992-01-09

Abstract

Treating an article with an agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in an item susceptible to decay due to growth of bacteria and/or fungus. The article either at least partially is wrapped about or receives therein at least a portion of the item. Some examples of articles are floral wrappings, artificial Easter eggs, and Easter grass. Figure 1 shows a non-artificial floral grouping (24) disposed on the interior surface (20) of a sheet of material (10), wherein the sheet of material (10) is wrapped about at least a portion of the non-artificial floral grouping (24). Figure 1 only shows part of the second end (14) wrapped about the floral grouping. Preferably, a portion of the first end (12) is also wrapped about the floral grouping (24).

Description

ANTIMICROBIAL MATERIAL AND METHODS Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to articles that have been treated with agents capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or fungus and methods to prevent deterioration due to decay caused by bacteria and/or fungus of items contained in the treated articles. Some of the treated articles are wrappings for floral groupings, Easter grass and artificial Easter Eggs. Summary of the Invention

The present invention comprises an article treated with an agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in an item when the item is at least partially wrapped by or at least a portion of the item contained in the article. Preferably, the article is a sheet of material wrappable about a non-artificial floral grouping, a sheet of material forming a liner for a floral grouping container, a sheet of material forming a container for a floral grouping, an artificial (synthetic) Easter Egg or Easter grass. The item can be any item susceptible to decay from the growth of bacteria and/or fungus, such as non-artificial floral groupings or food. The present invention also comprises methods for inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in items by wrapping about the items or receiving the items in an article treated with the agent previously described.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a treated sheet of material constructed in accordance with the present invention which is wrapped about a portion of a non- artificial floral grouping.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a treated sheet of material constructed in accordance with the present invention having a self-adhesive portion attached thereto which is wrapped about at least a portion of a non- artificial floral grouping.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a treated sheet of material constructed in accordance with the present invention having a preset curl in accordance with the present invention which rolls over at least a portion of a non-artificial floral grouping.

Figure 4 shows a partial perspective view of a liner constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the liner shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a top view of the liner shown in Figure 4.

Figure 7 shows a bottom view of the liner shown in Figure 4. Figure 8 shows the liner of Figure 4 disposed in a container and receiving a floral grouping.

Figure 9 shows a partial perspective view of a flower pot of the present invention.

Figure 10 shows a side view of the flower pot in Figure 9.

Figure 11 shows a side view of a flower pot of the present invention made from two sheets of material.

Figure 12 shows an Easter Egg of the present invention. Figure 13 shows a strand of Easter grass of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The attractiveness and utility of certain items, such as non-artificial floral groupings, diminish due to the deterioration caused by the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in the item. If the growth of the bacteria and/or fungus can be reduced in the item, the item can be useful for a longer period of time which decreases the cost of replacement. The present invention effectively delays the onset of deterioration of items susceptible to decay by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or fungus therein.

In accordance with the present invention, items susceptible to decay from bacteria and/or fungus are at least partially covered by or contained within an article treated with an agent capable of inhibiting the growth of either bacteria or fungus or both. Preferably, the agent is an antimicrobial agent which means that the agent possesses antifungal and antibacterial (bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal) properties, but the term "agent" as used herein may mean an agent possessing either antifungal, antibacterial or antimicrobial properties.

Preferably, the item to be protected from decay is a non-artificial floral grouping. A "non-artificial floral grouping" means cut fresh flowers, other fresh plants whether or not potted in soil, or other floral materials and may include other secondary plants and/or ornamentation which add to the aesthetics of the overall floral grc ->ing. A "non-artificial floral grouping" can also be a single bud, flower or plant.

In accordance with the present invention, a sheet of material 10 treated with an agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in a non-artificial floral grouping is wrapped about at least a portion of the non-artificial floral grouping. The sheet of material 10 comprises a first end 12, a second end 14, a third end 16 and a fourth end 18. Additionally the sheet of material 10 comprises an interior surface 20 and an exterior surface 22. The sheet of material 10 may be of any size or shape that suitably wraps about the desired portion of the non-artificial floral grouping 24, and may be constructed from a variety of materials which are wrappable about a non- artificial floral grouping 24. Some examples of suitable materials are man-made organic film, paper or other -4- cellulose-containing material, natural or synthetic fabrics, foil, or any combination of the foregoing.

In one preferred embodiment, the material 10 is constructed from a relatively thin film of a substantially non-shape sustaining man-made organic polymer film. The term "man-made organic polymer film" means a man-made resin such as a polypropylene as opposed to naturally occurring resins such as cellophane.

A man-made organic polymer film is relatively strong and not as subject to tearing (substantially non- tearable) , as might be the case with paper or foil. The man-made organic polymer film is a substantially linearly linked processed organic polymer film and is a synthetic linear chain organic polymer where the carbon atoms are substantially linearly linked. Such films are synthetic polymers formed or synthesized from monomers. Further, a relatively substantially linearly linked processed organic polymer film is virtually waterproof which may be desirable in many applications such as wrapping a floral grouping. Additionally, a relatively thin film of substantially linearly linked processed organic polymer does not substantially deteriorate in sunlight. Processed organic polymer films having carbon atoms both linearly linked and cross linked, and some cross linked polymer films, also may be suitable for use in the present invention provided such films are substantially flexible and can be made in a sheet-like format for wrapping purposes consistent with the present invention.

Figures 1-3 show preferred embodiments of the sheet of material of the present invention. Referring to Figure 1, an non-artificial floral grouping 24 is disposed on the interior surface 20 of the sheet of material 10, and the sheet of material 10 is wrapped about at least a portion of the non-artificial floral grouping 24. Figure 1 only shows part of the second end 14 wrapped about the floral grouping. Preferably, a portion of the first end 12 is also wrapped about the floral grouping 24.

In Figure 2, the sheet of material 10a further comprises a self adhering material 26 secured to the fourth end 18a of the sheet of material 10a. The cling material 26 permits the securing of the sheet of material 26 about the non-artificial floral grouping 24a since the cling material sticks or clings to itself and to the sheet of material 10a. A complete disclosure of the cling material (or self adhering material) or in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/368,597 filed June 20, 1989, entitled Self Adhering Wrapping Material is hereby incorporated by reference into the present invention. In Figure 3, the sheet of material 10b has a curl preset in the material such that the first end 12b of the material 10b in an unrestrained condition rolls over itself forming a roll of the material wherein the non-artificial floral grouping 24b is disposable in the roll of the material. A complete disclosure of the curl wrap in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/393,992 filed August 15, 1989, entitled Curl Wrap and Methods for Using Same is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application. In accordance with the present invention, the sheet of material may be folded, glued, sealed or joined together by any method to form receptacles receiving non- artificial floral groupings 24. Referring to Figure 4, a sheet of material has been folded in half so that the third end 16c and the fourth end 18c may contact, and the first end 12c and the second end 14c are respectively secured together to form a bag-like receptacle called a liner 28. The liner 28 is preferably non-shape sustaining, and therefore conforms to the shape of the container. -6-

Preferably, the liner 28 is constructed from a man-made organic polymer film.

The liner 28 is sized to receive a non-artificial floral grouping 24c. The liner 28 comprises a closed lower end 30, an open upper end having an object opening 34 extending therethrough sufficiently sized to receive at least a portion of the non-artificial floral grouping 24c. Additionally, the liner 28 has an interior surface 36 adjacent the object opening 34 and an exterior surface 38. The liner 28 may comprise more than one sheet of material which may be treated with an agent described herein or remain untreated. If the liner 28 comprises more than one sheet of material, the sheet of material 10 which has been treated with the agent comprises the interior surface 36 of the liner 28.

Preferably, the liner 28 is placed in any type of container 29 capable of receiving at least a portion of the non-artificial floral grouping 24. The liner 28 is preferably a little larger than the container 29, although any size or shape of the liner 28 may be used that allows the liner to function as described herein. Most preferably, the liner 28 is decoratively colored, embossed and/or printed with a design in order to aesthetically enhance the appearance of the container 29. The liner 28 may also form a border 29 extending from the container 29 to enhance the appearance thereof, and make the effects of the agent available to the portion of the non-artificial floral grouping 24 extending beyond the container 29.

Preferably, the liner 28 is treated with the agent as described hereafter after the liner 28 has been formed. The non-artificial floral grouping 24 is disposed in the liner positioned in the container 29 as shown in Figure 8. The liner 28 is in close proximity to or contacts the non- artificial floral groupings 24 which inhibits the growth of bacteria and/or fungus.

The treated sheet of material 10 may also be formed into a container capable of receiving at least a portion of a non-artificial floral grouping 24. One such container of the present invention comprises a flower pot, generally designated by the numeral 40, shown in Figure 9. A full disclosure of a preferred flower pot 40 and its variations are found in U.S. Patent No. 4,773,182 issued September 27, 1988, entitled Article Forming System which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The flower pot 40 is preferably formed from at least one sheet of material which has been treated by an agent as described herein, and may be formed by a plurality of sheets of material so long as at least a portion of one sheet of material has been treated in accordance with the present invention. Referring to Figures 9-10, the flower pot 40 is formed into a base 42 having a closed lower end 44, and an open upper end 46 with an object opening 48 extending therethrough. The base 42 is preferably formed by permanently fixing a portion of the sheet of material into a plurality of overlapping folds 50 to form the base 42 and for cooperating to retain the base 42 in the formed shape. Referring to Figure 11, the flower pot 40a is formed from a treated sheet of material lOd and untreated sheet of material lOe.

Preferably, the sheet of material 10 is constructed from a relatively thin man-made organic polymer film which normally is flexible and substantially non-shape sustaining. The flower pot 40 formed from this sheet of material is flexible and may be substantially flattened and then unflattened to assume the original shape of the formed container without substantial loss of the performed shape thereby providing the flexible yet shape-sustaining nature of the formed container. More preferably, the sheet of material forming the container has a thickness of less than about 1.5 mil and the container has a decorative border 52 extending outwardly from the open upper end 46 of the base 42. In accordance with the present invention, other articles may be treated which contact items susceptible to decay from the growth of bacteria and/or fungus. Some of these articles are artificial Easter Eggs and Easter grass. Artificial Easter Eggs are hollow containers into which items such as candy may be disposed. An example of one such Easter Egg is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,124,135 issued November 7, 1978, entitled Hinged Plastic Easter Egg which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application, and is shown in Figure 12. Preferably the Easter Egg 58 is constructed from plastic, although other suitable materials may be used which permit the Easter Egg 58 to function as described herein.

Preferably, the Easter Egg 58 comprises a hollow Easter Egg 58 constructed of two halves 60 and 62. The two halves 60 and 62 releasably join together, preferably by hinge 64. The Easter Egg 58 further comprises an interior wall 66 and 68, and exterior wall 70 and 72 respectively of halves 60 and 62 which are substantially continuous when halves 60 and 62 are connected. The agent may be incorporated into the Easter Egg

58 prior to formation of same, or at least a portion of formed Easter Egg 58 may be treated with the agent by any method described herein. Preferably, at least a portion of the interior walls 66 and 68 are treated with the agent. An Easter grass 74 treated with an agent of the present invention is shown in Figure 13. Examples of untreated Easter grass 74 are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,292,266 issued September 29, 1981, entitled Process for Making Decorative Grass and U.S. Patent No. 4,401,700 issued August 30, 1983, entitled Composition for Decorative Grass, which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.

Another application for the present application is to treat lids (not shown) for containers having food items for animals and humans. The lids not only provide a physical barrier to bacteria and/or fungus, but also provide continued protection of the food item due to their ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria and/or fungus. Preferably agents are Oxy Tetracycline (such as Teramicine by Phizer) and Citemetrina (Piretroid by Russell Uclaff) .

The agent used to treat the article (sheet of material 10, Easter Egg 58, Easter grass 74 or lids) will vary with the construction material used, the effect desired, and whether the agent has been incorporated prior to formation of the article or applied after the article has been formed. If the article is treated before formation of the article, the formation process may involve high temperatures which could effect the selection of the agent used.

Agents known to be compatible with a variety of polymers are the halogenated aromatic nitriles such as tetrachloroisophthalonitrile; Fungaflor, which is a salt of imazilil sulfate, made by Janssen Pharmaceuticals; 3,5,3,4'- tetrachlorosalicylanilide also known as Irgasan, made by

Ciba-Geigy Company; and dichlorophene (2,2'-methylenebis-4- chlorophenol made by Givaudan Corporation) .

The amount of the agents used is dependent upon the results sought and the use of the article. Generally, amounts of the agents ranging from 0.1% to about 0.5% by weight of the finished product may be used.

"Treating" the article means applying to or incorporating in the article an agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in an item which is contacted by the article. The agents may be applied by any method including, spraying, brushing, immersing the article in the agent or exposure of the article to agent-containing gas. Additionally, the agent may be incorporated into a dye, lacquer, tape, label or other medium applied to the article. The entire article may be treated, or only a portion thereof. Preferably, if only a portion of the article is treated, it is that portion in closest proximity to the item to be protected against bacterial and/or fungus growth. The agent may also be incorporated into the article prior to formation of the article.

Generally, the bacteria and/or fungus will be inhibited in the item due to the contact of the treated article with the item during the period of contact until the agent is substantially dissipated from the article. The duration of action of the agent will depend, in part, upon the agent used, the concentration of the agent, and the exposure of the agent to atmospheric conditions.

Changes may be made in the construction and operation of the various components and assemblies described herein and changes may be made in the steps or sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A sheet of material wrappable about a non-artificial floral grouping treated with an agent to inhibit the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in the non- artificial floral grouping.

2. The sheet of material of claim 1 further comprising: a cling material secured to a portion of the sheet of material, the cling material being capable of connecting to the sheet of material and itself upon contacting engagement in order to secure the sheet of material about at least a portion of the non-artificial floral grouping.

3. The sheet of material of claim 1 having a first and a second end, and further comprising: a curl preset in the material such that the first end of material in an unrestrained condition rolls over itself forming a roll of the material wherein the floral grouping is disposable in the roll of the material.

4. A liner disposable in a container in which a non-artificial floral grouping is at least partially disposable, at least a portion of the liner being disposable between the non-artificial floral grouping and the container, the liner having an exterior surface and an interior surface, and a closed lower end and an open upper end with an object opening extending therethrough sufficiently sized to receive at least a portion of the non- artificial floral grouping, wherein an agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in the non-artificial floral grouping is sufficiently applied to at least a portion of the liner to inhibit the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in the non-artificial floral grouping when disposed in the liner.

5. A container for a non-artificial floral grouping capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in the non-artificial floral grouping, comprising: the container made by forming at least one sheet of material into a predetermined shape for receiving the floral grouping; wherein the container comprises a base having a closed lower end and an open upper end with an object opening extending therethrough; wherein the forming of the sheet is accomplished by substantially permanently fixing a portion of the sheet into a plurality of overlapping folds to form the base of the container and for cooperating to retain the container in the formed shape, and wherein at least a portion of the sheet of material has been treated with an agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in the non-artificial floral grouping.

6. The container in claim 5 in which the sheet of material is a relatively thin man-made organic polymer film which normally is flexible and substantially non-shape sustaining, wherein the formed container is flexible and may be substantially flattened and then unflattened to assume the original shape of the formed container without substantial loss of the preformed shape thereby providing the flexible yet shape-sustaining nature of the formed container.

7. The container of claim 6 in which the sheet of material has a thickness of less than about 1.5 mil and the container has a decorative border extending outwardly from the open upper end of the base.

8. The container of claim 5 in which the sheet of material is selected from the group comprising paper or other cellulose-containing products, natural or synthetic woven materials or other fabrics, foil, or any combination of the foregoing.

9. The container of claim 5 in which the sheet of material is treated with the agent prior to forming the container.

10. The container of claim 9 in which the sheet of material is treated with the agent by applying the agent to at least a portion of the sheet of material after the sheet of material has been formed.

11. The container of claim 9 in which the sheet of material is treated with the agent prior to formation of the sheet of material thereby incorporating the agent into the sheet of material.

12. The container of claim 5 in which the sheet of material is treated with the agent after forming the container.

13. A method to inhibit the growth of fungus and/or bacteria in a non-artificial floral grouping, comprising: disposing a treated sheet of material having an exterior surface and an interior surface about the floral grouping, at least a portion of the sheet of material being treated with an agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in the non-artificial floral grouping.

14. The method of claim 13 in which the sheet of material forms a liner, disposable in a container in which at least a portion of the floral grouping is disposable, the liner comprising: a closed lower end and an open upper end with an object opening extending therethrough sufficiently sized to receive at least a portion of the floral grouping, wherein the treatment of the sheet of material comprises applying the agent to at least a portion of the liner.

15. The method of claim 13 in which the sheet of material forms a container in which at least a portion of the floral grouping is disposable, the container comprising: at least one treated sheet of material formed into a predetermined shape for receiving the floral grouping; wherein the container comprises a base having a closed lower end and an open upper end with an object opening extending therethrough, and wherein the forming of the sheet is accomplished by substantially permanently fixing a portion of the sheet into a plurality of overlapping folds to form the base of the container and for cooperating to retain the container in the formed shape.

16. The method of claim 15 in which the sheet of material is a relatively thin man-made organic polymer film which normally is flexible and substantially non-shape sustaining, wherein the formed container is flexible and may be substantially flattened and then unflattened to assume the original shape of the formed container without substantial loss of the preformed shape thereby providing the flexible yet shape-sustaining nature of the formed container.

17. The method of claim 16 in which the sheet of material has a thickness of less than about 1.5 mil and the container has a decorative border extending outwardly from the open upper end of the base.

18. The method of claim 13 in which the sheet of material is selected from the group comprising paper and other cellulose-containing products, natural or synthetic fabrics, foil, or any combination of the foregoing.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising a second sheet of material which is not treated with the agent which is secured to the exterior surface of the treated sheet of material, wherein at least a portion of the interior surface of the treated sheet of material is capable of contacting the floral grouping.

20. A decorative grass treated with an agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in an item susceptible to decay due to the growth of bacteria and/or fungus, comprising: a synthetic resin; a minor proportion of a colorant; and an agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in the item.

21. A method for inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in an item susceptible to decay from bacteria and/or fungus, comprising: contacting the item with decorative grass treated with an agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in the item for a sufficient amount of time in order to inhibit the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in the item, wherein the grass comprises a synthetic resin; a minor proportion of a colorant; and an agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in the item.

22. The method of claim 21 in which the item comprises food items.

23. The method of claim 21 in which the item comprises a non-artificial floral grouping.

24. An artificial egg treated with an agent capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and/or fungus in a item susceptible to decay from bacteria and/or fungus, comprising: a hollow artificial egg having two halves treated with a sufficient amount of the agent to inhibit the growth of bacteria and/or fungus of the item contained within the artificial egg.

25. A method to inhibit the growth of bacteria or fungus in an item susceptible to decay from the growth of bacteria and/or fungus, the item contained within an artificial egg, comprising: disposing the item in said artificial egg comprising: a hollow egg having two halves treated with a sufficient amount of the agent to inhibit the growth of bacteria and/or fungus of the item contained within the artificial egg.