Cleaners for the control and removal of allergens

Abstract

Wet and dry wipes comprising additives for removing allergens from surfaces are disclosed. The wipe substrate comprises an additive capable and binding the allergen onto the substrate such that the allergen can be removed from the surface. Various allergens including animal and pet dander can be removed from numerous surfaces utilizing the wipes of the present invention. In some embodiments of the invention, the allergenicity of the allergen is also reduced. Suitable additives for immobilization onto the wipe substrate include lectins, proteases, and enzyme inhibitors.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cleaner for removing an allergen from a surface, the cleaner comprising a wipe and an allergen binding lectin for binding the allergen to the wipe and removing the allergen from the surface.  
     
     
         2 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the lectin is a plant or animal lectin.  
     
     
         3 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the lectin is a legume lectin.  
     
     
         4 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the lectin has a residue affinity for N-acetylgalactosamine residues.  
     
     
         5 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the lectin is selected from the group consisting of peanut agglutinin,  Dolichus biflorus  agglutinin, soy bean agglutinin,  Lens culinaris  agglutinin, Phaseolus agglutinin I, pealectin-I,  Ricinus communis  agglutinin, Jacalin,  Erythrina corallodendron, vicia Villosa,  and wheat germ agglutinin.  
     
     
         6 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the lectin is selected from the group consisting of peanut agglutinin, soy bean agglutinin, and Jacalin.  
     
     
         7 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the wipe is a wet wipe.  
     
     
         8 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the wipe is a dry wipe.  
     
     
         9 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the lectin is immobilized onto the substrate by printing the additive onto the substrate.  
     
     
         10 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the cleaner comprises from about 0.00001% to about 10% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) of the lectin.  
     
     
         11 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the cleaner comprises from about 0.00001% to about 1% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) of the lectin.  
     
     
         12 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the cleaner comprises from about 0.00001% to about 0.1% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) of the lectin.  
     
     
         13 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the allergen being removed from the surface is selected consisting of cat dander, dog dander, plant allergens, fungi, cockroach allergens, and dust mite allergens.  
     
     
         14 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the allergen being removed from the surface is animal dander.  
     
     
         15 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the allergen being removed from the surface is Cat Allergen  Felis domesticus  I.  
     
     
         16 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the surface is animal skin or hair.  
     
     
         17 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the surface is human skin.  
     
     
         18 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the surface a countertop or table.  
     
     
         19 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the wipe comprises a woven or non-woven substrates.  
     
     
         20 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the wipe is comprised of fibers selected from the group consisting of cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         21 . A cleaner for removing animal dander from a surface, the cleaner comprising a wipe and an additive, the additive being present in an amount of from about 0.00001% to about 1% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) and having a residue affinity for N-acetylgalactosamine residues.  
     
     
         22 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of peanut agglutinin, soy bean agglutinin, and Jacalin.  
     
     
         23 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 22  wherein the additive is present in an amount of from about 0.00001% to about 0.1% (by total weight of the treated cleaner).  
     
     
         24 . A cleaner for reducing the allergenicity of an allergen located on a surface, the cleaner comprising a wipe and an allergen cleaving protease for cleaving the allergen to reduce the allergenicity of the allergen.  
     
     
         25 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the protease is selected from the group consisting of exopeptidases and endopeptidases.  
     
     
         26 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the protease is capable of chemically cleaving a lipocalin.  
     
     
         27 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the protease is selected from the group consisting of serine proteinases, cystein proteinases, aspartic proteinases, and metallo proteinases.  
     
     
         28 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the protease is selected from the group consisting of Chymotrypsin, Trypsin, Elastase, Kallikrein, Subtilisin, Papain, Actinidin, Bromelain, Cathepsins, Calpains, Pepsin, Chymosin, Cathepsins, Renin, Penicillopepsin, Rhizopuspepsin, Endothiapepsin, Thermolysin, Neprilysin, Aminopeptidase, Astacin, Cathepsin B, Cathepsin D, Cathepsin G, Clostripain, Collagenase, Dispase, Endoproteinase Arg-C, Endoproteinase Asp-N, Endoproteinase Glu-C, Endoproteinase Lys-C, Factor Xa, Plasmin, Proteinase K, and Thrombin.  
     
     
         29 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the protease is selected from the group consisting of Bromelain, Cathespsin B, Cathepsin D, Cathepsin G, Chymotrypsin, Clostripain, Collagenase, Dispase, Endoproteinase Arg-C, Endoproteinase Asp-N, Endoproteinase Glu-C, Endoproteinase Lys-C, Factor Xa, Kallikrein, Papain, Pepsin, Plasmin, Proteinase K, Subtilisin, Thermolysin, Thrombin, and Trypsin.  
     
     
         30 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the wipe is a wet wipe.  
     
     
         31 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the wipe is a dry wipe.  
     
     
         32 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the cleaner comprises from about 0.0001% to about 10% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) of the additive.  
     
     
         33 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the cleaner comprises from about 0.0001% to about 1% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) of the additive.  
     
     
         34 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the cleaner comprises from about 0.0001% to about 0.1% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) of the additive.  
     
     
         35 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the allergen being removed from the surface is animal dander.  
     
     
         36 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the allergen being removed from the surface is selected consisting of cat dander, dog dander, plant allergens, fungi, cockroach allergens, and dust mites.  
     
     
         37 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the allergen being removed from the surface is Cat Allergen  Felis domesticus  I.  
     
     
         38 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the surface is an animal.  
     
     
         39 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the surface is a person.  
     
     
         40 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the surface is an inanimate object.  
     
     
         41 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the wipe comprises a woven or non-woven substrate.  
     
     
         42 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the wipe is comprised of fibers selected from the group consisting of cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         43 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 24  further comprising a second additive capable of binding the allergen onto the substrate, the second additive comprising a lectin.  
     
     
         44 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 43  wherein the lectin is a legume lectin.  
     
     
         45 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 43  wherein the lectin has a residue affinity for N-acetylgalactosamine.  
     
     
         46 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 43  wherein the second additive comprising the lectin is selected from the group consisting of peanut agglutinin, soy bean agglutinin, and Jacalin.  
     
     
         47 . A cleaner for reducing the allergenicity of an allergen located on a surface, the cleaner comprising a wipe and an enzyme inhibitor for chemically reacting with the allergen to reduce the allergenicity of the allergen.  
     
     
         48 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 47  wherein the enzyme inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of Amastatin, Antipain, Actinonin, Aprotinin, APMSF, Bestatin, Benzamidine, Chymostatin, 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin, DFP, E-64, Elasatinal, Leupeptin, Pepstatin, 1,10-Phenanthroline, Phosphoramidon, TLCK, and TPCK.  
     
     
         49 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 47  wherein the wipe is a wet wipe.  
     
     
         50 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 47  wherein the wipe is a dry wipe.  
     
     
         51 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 47  wherein the additive is immobilized onto the substrate by printing the additive onto the substrate.  
     
     
         52 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 47  wherein the cleaner comprises from about 0.0001% to about 10% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) of the enzyme inhibitor.  
     
     
         53 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 47  wherein the cleaner comprises from about 0.0001% to about 1% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) of the enzyme inhibitor.  
     
     
         54 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 47  wherein the cleaner comprises from about 0.0001% to about 0.1% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) of the enzyme inhibitor.  
     
     
         55 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 47  wherein the allergen being removed from the surface is selected consisting of cat dander, dog dander, plant allergens, fungi, cockroach allergens, and dust mite allergens.  
     
     
         56 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 47  wherein the allergen being removed from the surface is animal dander.  
     
     
         57 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 47  wherein the allergen being removed from the surface is Cat Allergen  Felis domesticus  I.  
     
     
         58 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 47  wherein the surface is animal skin or hair.  
     
     
         59 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 47  wherein the surface is human skin.  
     
     
         60 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 47  wherein the surface a countertop or table.  
     
     
         61 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 47  wherein the wipe comprises a woven or non-woven substrates.  
     
     
         62 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 47  wherein the wipe is comprised of fibers selected from the group consisting of cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         63 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 47  further comprising a second additive capable of binding the allergen onto the substrate, the second additive comprising a lectin.  
     
     
         64 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 63  wherein the lectin is a legume lectin.  
     
     
         65 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 63  wherein the lectin has a residue affinity for N-acetylgalactosamine.  
     
     
         66 . The cleaner as set forth in  claim 65  wherein the second additive comprising the lectin is selected from the group consisting of peanut agglutinin, soy bean agglutinin, and Jacalin.  
     
     
         67 . A method for removing an allergen from a surface, the method comprising contacting the allergen on the surface with a cleaner, the cleaner comprising a wipe and an allergen binding lectin for binding the allergen to the wipe and removing the allergen from the surface.  
     
     
         68 . The method as set forth in  claim 67  wherein the lectin is a legume lectin.  
     
     
         69 . The method as set forth in  claim 67  wherein the lectin has a residue affinity for N-acetylgalactosamine residues.  
     
     
         70 . The method as set forth in  claim 67  wherein the lectin is selected from the group consisting of peanut agglutinin,  Dolichus biflorus  agglutinin, soy bean agglutinin,  Lens culinaris  agglutinin, Phaseolus agglutinin I, pealectin-I,  Ricinus communis  agglutinin, Jacalin,  Erythrina corallodendron, vicia Villosa,  and wheat germ agglutinin.  
     
     
         71 . The method as set forth in  claim 67  wherein the lectin is selected for the group consisting of peanut agglutinin, soy bean agglutinin, and Jacalin.  
     
     
         72 . The method as set forth in  claim 67  wherein the wipe is a wet wipe.  
     
     
         73 . The method as set forth in  claim 67  wherein the wipe is a dry wipe.  
     
     
         74 . The method as set forth in  claim 67  where in the cleaner comprises from about 0.0001% to about 10% (by total weight of the cleaner) of the lectin.  
     
     
         75 . The method as set forth in  claim 67  wherein the cleaner comprises from about 0.0001% to about 1% (by total weight of the cleaner) of the lectin.  
     
     
         76 . The method as set forth in  claim 67  wherein the allergen being removed from the surface is animal dander.  
     
     
         77 . The method as set forth in  claim 67  wherein the allergen being removed from the surface is selected consisting of cat dander, dog dander, plant allergens, fungi, cockroach allergens, and dust mites.  
     
     
         78 . The method as set forth in  claim 67  wherein the allergen being removed from the surface is Cat Allergen  Felis domesticus  I.  
     
     
         79 . The method as set forth in  claim 67  wherein the surface is an animal.  
     
     
         80 . The method as set forth in  claim 67  wherein the surface is a person.  
     
     
         81 . The method as set forth in  claim 67  wherein the surface is an inanimate object.  
     
     
         82 . The method as set forth in  claim 67  wherein the wipe comprises a woven or non-woven substrate.  
     
     
         83 . The method as set forth in  claim 67  wherein the wipe is comprised of fibers selected from the group consisting of cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         84 . The method as set forth in  claim 67  wherein the cleaner comprises a second additive, the second additive being selected from the group consisting of proteases and enzyme inhibitors.  
     
     
         85 . A method for removing an allergen from a surface, the method comprising contacting the allergen on the surface with a cleaner, the cleaner comprising a wipe and an allergen binding protease for cleaving the allergen and binding the allergen onto the wipe and removing the allergen from the surface.  
     
     
         86 . The method as set forth in  claim 85  wherein the protease is selected from the group consisting of exopeptidases and endopeptidases.  
     
     
         87 . The method as set forth in  claim 85  wherein the protease is capable of chemically cleaving a lipocalin.  
     
     
         88 . The method as set forth in  claim 85  wherein the protease is selected from the group consisting of serine proteinases, cystein proteinases, aspartic proteinases, and metallo proteinases.  
     
     
         89 . The method as set forth in  claim 85  wherein the protease is selected from the group consisting of Chymotrypsin, Trypsin, Elastase, Kallikrein, Subtilisin, Papain, Actinidin, Bromelain, Cathepsins, Calpains, Pepsin, Chymosin, Cathepsins, Renin, Penicillopepsin, Rhizopuspepsin, Endothiapepsin, Thermolysin, Neprilysin, Aminopeptidase, Astacin, Cathepsin B, Cathepsin D, Cathepsin G, Clostripain, Collagenase, Dispase, Endoproteinase Arg-C, Endoproteinase Asp-N, Endoproteinase Glu-C, Endoproteinase Lys-C, Factor Xa, Plasmin, Proteinase K, and Thrombin.  
     
     
         90 . The method as set forth in  claim 85  wherein the protease is selected from the group consisting of Bromelain, Cathespsin B, Cathepsin D, Cathepsin G, Chymotrypsin, Clostripain, Collagenase, Dispase, Endoproteinase Arg-C, Endoproteinase Asp-N, Endoproteinase Glu-C, Endoproteinase Lys-C, Factor Xa, Kallikrein, Papain, Pepsin, Plasmin, Proteinase K, Subtilisin, Thermolysin, Thrombin, and Trypsin.  
     
     
         91 . The method as set forth in  claim 85  wherein the wipe is a wet wipe.  
     
     
         92 . The method as set forth in  claim 85  wherein the wipe is a dry wipe.  
     
     
         93 . The method as set forth in  claim 85  wherein the cleaner comprises from about 0.0001% to about 10% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) of the allergen binding protease.  
     
     
         94 . The method as set forth in  claim 85  wherein the cleaner comprises from about 0.0001% to about 1% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) of the allergen binding protease.  
     
     
         95 . The method as set forth in  claim 85  wherein the allergen being removed from the surface is animal dander.  
     
     
         96 . A method for removing an allergen from a surface, the method comprising contacting the allergen on the surface with a cleaner, the cleaner comprising a wipe and an enzyme inhibitor for chemically reacting with the allergen to reduce the allergenicity of the allergen and binding the allergen onto the wipe and removing the allergen from the surface.  
     
     
         97 . The method as set forth in  claim 96  wherein the enzyme inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of Amastatin, Antipain, Actinonin, Aprotinin, APMSF, Bestatin, Benzamidine, Chymostatin, 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin, DFP, E-64, Elasatinal, Leupeptin, Pepstatin, 1,10-Phenanthroline, Phosphoramidon, TLCK, and TPCK.  
     
     
         98 . The method as set forth in  claim 96  wherein the wipe is a wet wipe.  
     
     
         99 . The method as set forth in  claim 96  wherein the wipe is a dry wipe.  
     
     
         100 . The method as set forth in  claim 96  where in the cleaner comprises from about 0.0001% to about 10% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) of the enzyme inhibitor.  
     
     
         101 . The method as set forth in  claim 96  wherein the cleaner comprises from about 0.0001% to about 1% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) of the enzyme inhibitor.