Pest repellent compositions and articles and a method for preparing the same

Abstract

What is disclosed is a method for the formation of unique poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels, articles that are made from such hydrogels, unique odor-providing pest repellent compositions and their uses to repel pests.

1 . A composition comprising in combination a blend of: 
 (i) a high strength poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel;    (ii) water;    (iii) at least one pest repellent, and,    (iv) a water soluble, non-volatile, freezing point depressant for (ii) which does not de-stabilize the composition; 
 said freezing point depressant being selected from a group consisting essentially of: 
 (a) inorganic salts;  
 (b) organic solids and  
 (c) organic liquids.  
 
   
     
     
         2 . A solid pest repellent capable of emitting a pest repelling odor comprising a combination of 
 (i) a high strength poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel;    (ii) water;    (iii) at least one pest repellent, and,    (iv) a water soluble, non-volatile, freezing point depressant for (ii); 
 said freezing point depressant being selected from a group consisting essentially of: 
 (a) inorganic salts,  
 (b) organic solids and,  
 (c) organic liquids.  
 
   
     
     
         3 . A process for preparing a solid pest repellent capable of emitting a pest repelling odor comprising: 
 (I) contacting a freezing point depressant for water with water and homogenizing at a temperature of 20° C. to 50° C.;    (II) thereafter, heating the composition from (I) to boiling;    (III) thereafter adding a high strength poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel and homogenizing;    (IV) thereafter, heating the composition of (III) until the composition is clear and essentially free of gel particles;    (V) adding one or more pest repellents to the composition of (IV) and homogenizing;    (VI) thereafter, freezing the composition from (V) at a temperature of 0° C. or below for at least two hours;    (VII) thereafter, allowing the composition from (VI) to return to room temperature.    
     
     
         4 . A solid pest repellent article obtained by the process of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         5 . A solid pest repellent article having the composition as claimed in  claim 2 .  
     
     
         6 . A process as claimed in  claim 3  wherein, in addition, a plasticizer is added to the composition formed in (I) prior to carrying out (II).  
     
     
         7 . An article as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the composition of (V) is poured into a mold prior to (VI).  
     
     
         8 . A solid pest repellent capable of emitting a pest repelling odor comprising a combination of 
 (i) a high strength poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel;    (ii) water;    (iii) at least one pest repellent, and,    (iv) a water soluble, non-volatile, inorganic salt, freezing point depressant for (ii).    
     
     
         9 . A solid pest repellent capable of emitting a pest repelling odor comprising a combination of: 
 (i) a high strength poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel;    (ii) water;    (iii) at least one pest repellent, and,    (iv) a water soluble, non-volatile, organic solid, freezing point depressant for (ii).    
     
     
         10 . A solid pest repellent capable of emitting a pest repelling odor comprising a combination of: 
 (i) a high strength poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel;    (ii) water;    (iii) at least one pest repellent, and,    (iv) a water soluble, non-volatile, organic liquid, freezing point depressant for (ii).    
     
     
         11 . A pest repellent as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the pest repellent is a repellent for pest animals.  
     
     
         12 . A pest repellent as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the pest repellent is putrefied eggs.  
     
     
         13 . A pest repellent as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the pest repellent is feather meal.  
     
     
         14 . A pest repellent as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the pest repellent is meat meal.  
     
     
         15 . A pest repellent as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the pest repellent is meat meal tankage.  
     
     
         16 . A pest repellent as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the pest repellent is for insects.  
     
     
         17 . A pest repellent as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the pest repellent is 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol.  
     
     
         18 . A pest repellent as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the pest repellent is N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide.  
     
     
         19 . An article which is a pest repellent article when prepared by the process of  claim 3  wherein the composition of (V) is extruded into a continuous profile and rapidly cooled to freezing in (VI).