Compositions and particles containing cellulosic fibers and stabilized- and/or activated- urease inhibitors, as well as methods of making and using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions containing stabilized and/or activated urease inhibitors, as well as methods of making and using the same.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition, comprising
 at least one cellulosic fiber;   at least on urease inhibitor; and   at least one member selected from the group consisting of a stabilizer and an activator.   
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a stabilizer and does not contain water. 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising an activator and water. 
     
     
         4 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising an inert substance. 
     
     
         5 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising a dessicant. 
     
     
         6 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the urease inhibitor comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a n-alkyl phosphoric triamide, n-alkyl thiophosphoric triamide, and a phophoroamidate. 
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one urease inhibitor comprises n-butyl thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT), phenyl phosphoroamidate (PPDA), or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising from 0.5 ppm to 10 wt % of the at least one urease inhibitor based upon the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one stabilizer comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a polyalkylene oxide. 
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one stabilizer comprises polyethylene glycol, glycerin, dipropylene glycol, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising from 0.1 to 20 wt % of the at least one stabilizer based upon the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         12 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the activator comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a hindered amine, N-hydroxybenzotriazole, N-hydroxymaleimide, N-hydroxysuccinamide, N-hydroxyphthalimide, hydroxybenzothiazole, oxa-benzotrazole, d- and aza-pyridine-triazole, violuric acid, and UV absorbers based on benzotriazole. 
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one activator comprises 2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO), 4-hydroxy2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl(4-hydroxy TEMPO), or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising from 1 ppm to 10 wt % of the at least one activator based upon the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         15 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one inert material. 
     
     
         16 . The composition according, further comprising at least one inert material selected from the group consisting of water absorbing compounds and water barrier forming compounds. 
     
     
         17 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one inert material wherein the at least one inert material comprises at least one dessicant. 
     
     
         18 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one inert material wherein the at least one inert material comprises at least one dessicant selected from the group consisting of superabsorbent particles. 
     
     
         19 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one dessicant wherein the at least one dessicant comprises talc. 
     
     
         20 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising from 0.1 to 10 wt % of at least one inert material based upon the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         21 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising from 0.1 to 10 wt % of at least one dessicant based upon the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         22 . A method of making the composition according to  claim 1 , comprising contacting the at least one cellulosic fiber with the at least one urease inhibitor and the at least one member selected from the group consisting of a stabilizer and an activator. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , further comprising pre-mixing the at least one urease inhibitor and the at least one member selected from the group consisting of a stabilizer and an activator. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 22 , further comprising drying the composition. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the at least on cellulosic fiber is consecutively or simultaneously contacted with at least one urease inhibitor and the at least one member selected from the group consisting of a stabilizer and an activator. 
     
     
         26 . The method of making the composition according to  claim 1 , comprising contacting a web of cellulosic fibers with the at least one urease inhibitor and the at least one member selected from the group consisting of a stabilizer and an activator. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , further comprising pre-mixing the at least one urease inhibitor and the at least one member selected from the group consisting of a stabilizer and an activator. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 26 , further comprising drying the composition. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  26 , wherein said contacting is performed by spraying the at least one urease inhibitor and the at least one member selected from the group consisting of a stabilizer and an activator onto at least one surface of the web of cellulosic fibers. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the at least one urease inhibitor and the at least one member selected from the group consisting of a stabilizer and an activator are sprayed simultaneously or consecutively. 
     
     
         31 . An article, comprising the composition according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         32 . The article according to  claim 31 , wherein the article is at least one member selected from the group consisting of an absorbent article and a personal hygiene article. 
     
     
         33 . The article according to  claim 31 , wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of a diaper, a feminine hygiene article, and an adult incontinency product. 
     
     
         34 . The article according to  claim 31 , further comprising at least one super absorbent particle. 
     
     
         35 . A method of making the article according to  claim 34 , comprising contacting at least one super absorbent particle with a composition comprising at least one cellulosic fiber; at least on urease inhibitor; and at least one member selected from the group consisting of a stabilizer and an activator. 
     
     
         36 . A method of inhibiting the production of ammonia from urea in the presence of at least one microorganism, comprising contacting the article according to  claim 31  with urea and at least one microorganism. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the growth of the at least one microorganism is not inhibited. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the at least one microorganism is a urease-producing microorganism. 
     
     
         39 . A method of inhibiting the production of ammonia from urea in the presence of at least one microorganism, comprising contacting the composition according to  claim 1  with urea in the presence of at least one microorganism. 
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 39 , wherein the growth of the at least one microorganism is not inhibited. 
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein the at least one microorganism is a urease-producing microorganism. 
     
     
         42 . A composition, comprising
 at least one cellulosic fiber;   at least on urease inhibitor   at least one super absorbent particle; and   a stabilizer having a T m  that is from room temperature to 120° C.   
     
     
         43 . The composition according to  claim 42 , wherein the super absorbent particle has a particle size that is less than 100 microns. 
     
     
         44 . The composition according to  claim 42 , wherein the composition is a particle. 
     
     
         45 . The composition according to  claim 42 , wherein the stabilizer coats the at least one cellulosic fiber. 
     
     
         46 . The composition according to  claim 42 , wherein the stabilizer is at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene oxides and polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         47 . The composition according to  claim 42 , wherein the stabilizer is polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         48 . The composition according to  claim 42 , wherein the stabilizer forms a matrix in which the at least on urease inhibitor, the at least one cellulosic fiber, and the at least one super absorbent particle reside. 
     
     
         49 . A method of making the composition according to  claim 42 , comprising contacting at least one cellulosic fiber with at least one urease inhibitor, at least one super absorbent particle; and a stabilizer having a T m  that is from room temperature to 125° C. 
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 49 , wherein the at least one cellulosic fiber is simultaneously or consecutively contacted with at least one urease inhibitor, at least one super absorbent particle; and a stabilizer having a T m  that is from room temperature to 125° C. 
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 49 , comprising contacting at least one cellulosic fiber with a mixture comprising at least one urease inhibitor, at least one super absorbent particle; and a a stabilizer having a T m  that is from room temperature to 125° C. 
     
     
         52 . The method according to  claim 51 , wherein the mixture is sprayed onto a web of cellulosic fibers. 
     
     
         53 . The method according to  claim 51 , wherein the mixture is a liquid and is sprayed onto a web of cellulosic fibers. 
     
     
         54 . The method according to  claim 51 , wherein the mixture is a liquid. 
     
     
         55 . The method according to  claim 51 , wherein the mixture is contacted at a temperature that is higher than the Tm of the stabilizer. 
     
     
         56 . The method according to  claim 51 , further comprising cooling the composition. 
     
     
         57 . The method according to  claim 51 , further comprising drying the composition. 
     
     
         58 . The method according to  claim 51 , further comprising mixing the at least one urease inhibitor with at least one super absorbent particle; and a stabilizer having a T m  that is from room temperature to 125° C. 
     
     
         59 . The method according to  claim 49 , further comprising mixing the at least one urease inhibitor with at least one super absorbent particle; and a stabilizer having a T m  that is from room temperature to 125° C. 
     
     
         60 . An article, comprising the composition according to  claim 40 . 
     
     
         61 . The article according to  claim 60 , wherein the article is at least one member selected from the group consisting of an absorbent article and a personal hygiene article. 
     
     
         62 . The article according to  claim 60 , wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of a diaper, a feminine hygiene article, and an adult incontinency product. 
     
     
         63 . The article according to  claim 60 , further comprising at least one super absorbent particle. 
     
     
         64 . A method of making the article according to  claim 63 , comprising contacting at least one super absorbent particle with a composition comprising at least one cellulosic fiber; at least on urease inhibitor; and at least one member selected from the group consisting of a stabilizer and an activator. 
     
     
         65 . A method of inhibiting the production of ammonia from urea in the presence of at least one microorganism, comprising contacting the article according to  claim 60  with urea and at least one microorganism 
     
     
         66 . The method according to  claim 65 , wherein the growth of the at least one microorganism is not inhibited. 
     
     
         67 . The method according to  claim 65 , wherein the at least one microorganism is a urease-producing microorganism. 
     
     
         68 . A method of inhibiting the production of ammonia from urea in the presence of at least one microorganism, comprising contacting the composition according to  claim 40  with urea in the presence of at least one microorganism. 
     
     
         69 . The method according to  claim 68 , wherein the growth of the at least one microorganism is not inhibited. 
     
     
         70 . The method according to  claim 67 , wherein the at least one microorganism is a urease-producing microorganism. 
     
     
         71 . A method, comprising
 contacting the composition according to  claim 42  or the composition according to  claim 1  with a fiber to create a mixture of treated and untreated fibers.   
     
     
         72 . The method according to  claim 71 , further comprising forming the mixture into an article. 
     
     
         73 . The method according to  claim 72 , wherein the article is an absorbent article