Targeted performance of hypohalite compositions thereof

Abstract

This invention relates to extend the benefits of using hypochlorite compounds such as sodium hypochlorite to clean and disinfect articles while reducing or eliminating the side effects of treating an article with a strong oxidant material. The invention relates to a single step process involving mixing of precursor compositions of a suitable hypohalite or hypohalous acid with a solution of a reducing agent. Optionally a buffer may be present in either or both precursor compositions, such that at time of use such active hypohalous acid concentration in the resulting aqueous mixture remains at a sufficient activity level to effect one or more desired benefits against a target substrate for a desired period of time. The oxidant is substantially consumed by reaction with the reducing agent after the time needed for achieving the desired benefit has passed.

1 . A two-part composition for treatment of a surface, the composition comprising:
 an oxidant first part comprising hypohalous acid or a hypohalite; and   a reductant second part comprising a nitrite, wherein the first and second parts are initially separate so that upon mixing, a resulting mixed composition provides oxidizing benefits for a limited duration, the oxidant reacting with the reductant to reduce the oxidant concentration so as to prevent or minimize negative side effects associated with prolonged oxidant exposure longer than the limited duration.   
     
     
         2 . The two-part composition of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidant first part comprises a hypohalite. 
     
     
         3 . The two-part composition of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidant first part comprises sodium hypochlorite. 
     
     
         4 . The two-part composition of  claim 1 , wherein the reductant second part is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal nitrites, alkaline earth metal nitrites, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The two-part composition of  claim 1 , wherein the reductant second part comprises sodium nitrite. 
     
     
         6 . The two-part composition of  claim 1 , wherein a molar ratio of the reductant to the oxidant is from about 3:1 to about 1:2. 
     
     
         7 . The two-part composition of  claim 1 , wherein a molar ratio of the reductant to the oxidant is from about 2:1 to about 1:1. 
     
     
         8 . The two-part composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a pH buffer provided with the first part, the second part, or both. 
     
     
         9 . The two-part composition of  claim 8 , wherein the buffer comprises a carbonate. 
     
     
         10 . The two-part composition of  claim 9 , wherein the buffer further comprises an carboxylic acid or a phosphate. 
     
     
         11 . The two-part composition of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidant, the reductant, and a molar ratio of the reductant to oxidant is configured to provide an oxidant exposure duration that is from about 30 seconds to about 60 minutes. 
     
     
         12 . The two-part composition of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidant, the reductant, and a molar ratio of the reductant to oxidant is configured to provide an oxidant exposure duration that is from about 2 minutes to about 30 minutes. 
     
     
         13 . The two-part composition of  claim 1 , wherein the mixed composition has a pH from about 6 to about 11. 
     
     
         14 . A two-part composition for treatment of a surface, the composition comprising:
 an oxidant first part comprising a hypochlorite, the hypochlorite comprising up to about 15% by weight of the two-part composition;   a reductant second part comprising a nitrite, the nitrite comprising from about 0.01% to about 15% by weight of the two-part composition;   wherein the first and second parts are initially separate so that upon mixing, a resulting mixed composition provides oxidizing benefits for a limited duration, the oxidant reacting with the reductant to reduce the oxidant concentration so as to prevent or minimize negative side effects associated with prolonged oxidant exposure longer than the limited duration.   
     
     
         15 . The two-part composition of  claim 13 , wherein the hypochlorite comprises from about 0.001% to about 10% by weight of the two-part composition. 
     
     
         16 . The two-part composition of  claim 13 , wherein the hypochlorite comprises from about 0.005% to about 5% by weight of the two-part composition. 
     
     
         17 . The two-part composition of  claim 13 , wherein the hypochlorite comprises from about 0.005% to about 0.2% by weight of the two-part composition. 
     
     
         18 . The two-part composition of  claim 13 , wherein the nitrite comprises from about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of the two-part composition. 
     
     
         19 . The two-part composition of  claim 13 , wherein the nitrite comprises from about 0.1% to about 1% by weight of the two-part composition. 
     
     
         20 . A two-part composition for treatment of a surface, the composition comprising:
 an oxidant first part comprising a hypohalite, the hypohalite consisting of sodium hypochlorite;   a reductant second part comprising a nitrite, the nitrite consisting of sodium nitrite;   wherein the first and second parts are initially separate so that upon mixing, a resulting mixed composition provides oxidizing benefits for a limited duration, the oxidant reacting with the reductant to reduce the oxidant concentration so as to prevent or minimize negative side effects associated with prolonged oxidant exposure longer than the limited duration.