Self-dispersing particulate composition and methods of use

Abstract

A self-dispersing particulate composition, in the form of pellets, prills, flakes or granules, containing particles with a first functional component that is a glassy solid with small, dispersed pockets of pressurized gas and, in the same or different particles, a second functional component that is a special-use material having at least one additional utility. Special use materials include, for example, a deicer, a fertilizer, a drain cleaner, an insecticide, a carpet cleaner, and a powdered laundry detergent. Dissolution of the glassy material liberates pressurized gas, causing repositioning of the special-use material.

1 . A deicer composition comprising a plurality of particles, at least some of the particles comprising an ice-melting component that, when contacted with ice, reacts chemically with the ice to produce melt water, and at least some of the particles further comprising a self-dispersing component containing a glassy solid with dispersed pockets of confined, pressurized gas that, when partially dissolved upon contact with melt water, liberates pressurized gas at a rate sufficient to reposition the particle from which was liberated.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the ice-melting component comprises a material selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium magnesium acetate, sodium acetate, urea and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the gas is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, air and nitrogen.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the glassy solid is a material selected from the group consisting of sugar, corn syrup and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein each particle contains both an ice-melting component and a self-dispersing component.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the ice-melting component and the self-dispersing component are contained in different particles.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the particles range in weight from about 0.5 g to about 0.001 g.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the particle size ranges in size from about 0.1 mm to about 8 mm.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the gas confined within the self-dispersing component is at a pressure of about 400 psi.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 5  wherein the amount of ice-melting component ranges from about 15 to about 35 weight percent of the composition.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 6  wherein the ratio of particles containing the self-dispersing component to particles containing the ice-melting component ranges from about 1:20 to about 1:1.  
     
     
         13 . A particulate composition comprising first and second functional components, the first component comprising a glassy solid containing dispersed pockets of pressurized gas and the second component comprising a special-use material having utility as a deicer.  
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the special-use material is selected from the group consisting of hydrated and anhydrous salts, including calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, urea, sodium acetate, calcium magnesium acetate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the first and second functional components are contained in the same particles.  
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the first and second functional components are contained in different particles.  
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 15  wherein the second functional component comprises from about 15 to about 35 weight percent of the particles.  
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 17  wherein the second functional component comprises from about 20 to about 30 weight percent of the particles.  
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 16  having a ratio of particles containing the first functional component to particles containing the second functional component that ranges from about 1:20 to about 1:1.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 19  wherein the ratio of particles containing the first functional component to particles containing the second functional component that ranges from about 1:10 to about 1:3.  
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 15  wherein the glassy solid comprises about 80 weight percent sugar and about 20 weight percent urea.  
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 15  wherein the glassy solid comprises about 80 weight percent sugar, about 10 weight percent calcium chloride, and about 10 weight percent urea.  
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 15  wherein the glassy solid comprises from about 70 to about 95 weight percent sugar and from about 5 to about 30 weight percent sodium acetate trihydrate.  
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the particles are in a form selected from at least one pellets, prills, flakes and granules.  
     
     
         25 . The composition of clam  13  wherein the glassy solid is selected from the group consisting of sugar, corn syrup and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 25  wherein the glassy solid is sugar.  
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the gas is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, air and nitrogen.  
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 27  wherein the gas is carbon dioxide.  
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 15  wherein the glassy solid comprises about 70 weight percent sugar and about 30 weight percent calcium chloride.  
     
     
         30 . A particulate composition comprising first and second functional components, the first component comprising a glassy solid containing dispersed pockets of pressurized gas and the second component comprising a special-use material having utility as a fertilizer.  
     
     
         31 . A particulate composition comprising first and second functional components, the first component comprising a glassy solid containing dispersed pockets of pressurized gas and the second component comprising a special-use material having utility as a drain cleaner.  
     
     
         32 . A particulate composition comprising first and second functional components, the first component comprising a glassy solid containing dispersed pockets of pressurized gas and the second component comprising a special-use material having utility as a fire ant insecticide.  
     
     
         33 . A particulate composition comprising first and second functional components, the first component comprising a glassy solid containing dispersed pockets of pressurized gas and the second component comprising a special-use material having utility as a carpet shampoo.  
     
     
         34 . A particulate composition comprising first and second functional components, the first component comprising a glassy solid containing dispersed pockets of pressurized gas and the second component comprising a special-use material having utility as a powdered laundry detergent.