Resin immobilized biocide

This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/273,962, filed Mar. 7, 2001.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising a specific biocide and a resin. Said composition is useful in preparing plastic articles. The plastics articles include, but are not limited to, HDPE, LDPE, other polyolefin resins, EPDM, thermoplastic polyurethanes, styrenics, and thermoplastic elastomers. The presence of the composition, of the present invention, in the plastic article serves to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, and fungi.

Resin/biocide compositions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,086,297, U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,692, U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,236, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,495. However, Applicants have discovered a new resin/biocide composition that is compatible with resins previously considered hard to compatibilize with biocides. Applicants have achieved a new and useful resin/biocide composition not described in the art.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising:

(a) 85% to 99% by weight of a resin selected from the group consisting of Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate-Carbon Monoxide; Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene; Styrene-Maleic Anhydride; Styrene-Methyl Methacrylate; Thermoplastic polyurethane; Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate and Acrylic Rubber; and mixtures thereof; (b) 1% to 15% by weight of a biocide selected from the group consisting of 4,5,-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (DCOIT) and 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (OIT).

The present invention relates to a composition comprising:

(a) 85% to 99% by weight of a resin selected from the group consisting of Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate-Carbon Monoxide; Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene; Styrene-Maleic Anhydride; Styrene-Methyl Methacrylate; Thermoplastic polyurethane; Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate and Acrylic Rubber; and mixtures thereof; (b) 1% to 15% by weight of a biocide selected from the group consisting of 4,5,-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (DCOIT) and 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (OIT).

Resins useful in the practice of the present invention include, but are not limited to, Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate-Carbon Monoxide; Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene; Styrene-Maleic Anhydride; Styrene-Methyl Methacrylate; Thermoplastic polyurethane; Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate and Acrylic Rubber and mixtures thereof.

The preferred resins are: Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate-Carbon Monoxide; Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene; Styrene-Maleic Anhydride; Styrene-Methyl Methacrylate; Thermoplastic polyurethane; Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate and Acrylic Rubber.

The more preferred resin is: Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate-Carbon Monoxide; Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene; Styrene-Maleic Anhydride; and Styrene-Methyl Methacrylate;

The most preferred resin is: Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate-Carbon Monoxide.

The preferred range of resins in the composition of the present invention is 85 percent to 99 percent (%) by weight, more preferably 88 to 92% by weight; most preferably 90% by weight.

The biocides useful in the practice of the present invention are 4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (DCOIT) and 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (OIT). They are available from the Rohm and Haas Company, Philadelphia, Pa. The preferred biocide is DCOIT.

The preferred range of biocide in the composition of the present invention is 1 percent to 15 percent by weight, more preferably 8 to 12% by weight; most preferably 10 percent by weight.

Optional ingredients include, but are not limited to lubricants, process aids, light stabilizers, antioxidants, heat stabilizers, slip agents, anti-block agents, anti-static agents and pigments.

The practice of the present invention is described herein:

Blank films of each polymer were prepared by fusing 100 grams of polymer material on a two-roll mill and then molding them with a heated press. The mill temperature was adjusted to allow the polymer to be processed. The warm films were trimmed and about 50 grams of material was placed in a 6 inch by 6 inch by 0.075-inch mold and pressed in a heated press. The mold was then cooled and the films removed. The following polymers were prepared.

Elvaloy® 471 P (Ethylene—Vinyl Acetate—Carbon Monoxide)

Kraton® DRP 6433 (Styrene—Butadiene—Styrene)

Dylark® 332-80 (Styrene—Maleic Anhydride)

NAS 21 (Styrene—Methyl Methacrylate)

NAS 30 (Styrene—Methyl Methacrylate)

Morthane® PS-62 (Thermoplastic polyurethane)

Elvax® 260 (Ethylene—Vinyl acetate)

Pacrel® K (Acrylic Rubber)

Eastman SP 2260 (Ethylene—Methyl Acrylate)

Optema® TC-220 (Ethylene—Methyl Acrylate)

LC 195-136 B (Filled SEBS compound)

LC 195-136C (Unfilled SEBS compound)

Kraton® FG-1901X (SEBS—Maleic Anhydride).

The test films were prepared by fusing 90 grams of polymer on a two-roll mill. When the polymer was fully banded on the mill, 10 grams of the DCOIT (4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one) was added at the nip of the rolls. The DCOIT was fully mixed into the fused polymer to form the resin immobilized biocide film. The films were molded in the same way as the blank films.

The resin immobilized biocide films were wrapped in aluminum foil and stored at room temperature. The compatibility of the DCOIT in each polymer was evaluated by visual observation and by the feel of the surface compared to the blank.

After two months at room temperature the following films showed signs of bloom indicating lack of compatibility with the biocide.

Eastman SP 2260 (Ethylene—Methyl Acrylate) Optema® TC-220 (Ethylene—Methyl Acrylate) LC 195-136 B (Filled SEBS compound) LC 195-136C (Unfilled SEBS compound) Kraton® FG-1901X (SEBS—Maleic Anhydride).

A resin immobilized biocide blend was prepared by mixing 895 grams of Ethylene—Vinyl Acetate-Carbon Monoxide resin with 105 grams of 4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (DCOIT) in a low intensity mixer.

A 0.75-inch single screw extruder, equipped with a single 0.125-inch diameter strand die, was heated to 125° C. to 150° C. The screw speed was set at 50 rpm.

The blend was fed into the extruder. The resulting strand was water-cooled and pelletized.

PREPARATION OF RESIN IMMOBILIZED BIOCIDE CONCENTRATE AND USE OF SAID RESIN IMMOBILIZED BIOCIDE CONCENTRATE IN LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (LDPE) PLASTIC

A film of low-density polyethylene plastic was prepared by fusing 120 grams of material on a two-roll mill. The warm film was trimmed and about 50 grams of material was placed in a 6 inch by 6 inch by 0.075-inch mold. The mold was pressed in a heated press. The mold was then cooled and the films removed.

A blend of 10% DCOIT in 90% Ethylene—Vinyl Acetate (EVA) resin immobilized biocide was prepared on a two-roll mill. 12.5 grams of said resin immobilized biocide was mixed with 112.5 grams of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic and fused on a two-roll mill to form a film. The films were molded in the same way as the blank film.

The samples were evaluated for resistance to microorganisms.

PREPARATION OF RESIN IMMOBILIZED BIOCIDE CONCENTRATE AND USE OF SAID RESIN IMMOBILIZED BIOCIDE CONCENTRATE IN A WOOD-PLASTIC COMPOSITION

A blend was prepared by mixing 895 grams of Ethylene—Vinyl Acetate-Carbon Monoxide resin with 105 grams of 4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (DCOIT) in a low intensity mixer. The material was melt mixed and formed using a 0.75-inch single screw extruder, equipped with a single 0.125-inch diameter strand die. The extruder was heated from 80° C. to 140° C. The screw speed was set at 70 rpm. The resulting strand was water-cooled and pelletized.

A high density polyethylene plastic that contained from 40% to 60% wood flower and other additives was obtained from a wood-plastic compounder. A film was prepared by fusing 99 g of the wood-plastic compound on a two-roll mill set at 340° F. 1 gram of the resin immobilized biocide concentrate prepared above was added to the wood plastic compound. This material was mixed on the mill for four minutes before being sheeted off. A blank sample was prepared by fusing 100 grams of the wood-plastic compound on the two-roll mill and processed for four minutes before being sheeted off. The samples were evaluated for resistance to microorganisms.

Tables 1 and 2 show that the resin immobilized biocide of the present invention is effective in controlling microorganisms.