Disinfection of a contaminated environment

Abstract

A formulation to reduce the numbers of bacteria, particularly Gram positive bacteria, in a space such as a waste disposal bin, via the vapour phase, and active over a long period, typically several weeks. The product comprises one or more essential oils or essential oil components plus a mixture of volatile and non-volatile solvents, on a carrier such as a non-woven, sintered plastic or cardboard.

1 . A vapor-producing composition for disinfecting a space comprising one or more essential oils or essential oil components, and a mixture of volatile and non-volatile solvents absorbed on a carrier.  
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the essential oil component is cinnamic aldehyde.  
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the essential oil component is cinnamic alcohol.  
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the essential oil component is eugenol.  
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the essential oil is a tea tree oil.  
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the essential oil is cinnamon oil.  
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the volatile solvent is an alcohol.  
   
   
       8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the alcohol is isopropanol.  
   
   
       9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the non-volatile solvent is water.  
   
   
       10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the non-volatile solvent is a glycol.  
   
   
       11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the glycol is monopropylene glycol.  
   
   
       12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of volatile to non-volatile solvents is in the ratio 10:1 to 1:10.  
   
   
       13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein carrier is a non-woven material.  
   
   
       14 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the non-woven carrier is a combination of cellulose and polypropylene.  
   
   
       15 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is cardboard.  
   
   
       16 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is sintered plastic.  
   
   
       17 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is amorphous silicon dioxide.  
   
   
       18 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the cardboard carrier has one dimension of at least 200 mm.  
   
   
       19 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a self-adhesive item or label.  
   
   
       20 . A vapor-producing formulation comprising one or more essential oils or essential oil components and a mixture of volatile and non-volatile solvents in a viscous liquid.  
   
   
       21 . The formulation of  claim 20 , wherein the essential oil component is cinnamic aldehyde.  
   
   
       22 . The formulation of  claim 20 , wherein the essential oil component is cinnamic alcohol.  
   
   
       23 . The formulation of  claim 20 , wherein the essential oil component is eugenol.  
   
   
       24 . The formulation of  claim 20 , wherein the essential oil is a tea tree oil.  
   
   
       25 . The formulation of  claim 20 , wherein the essential oil is cinnamon oil.  
   
   
       26 . The formulation of  claim 20 , wherein the volatile solvent is an alcohol.  
   
   
       27 . The formulation of  claim 26 , wherein the alcohol is isopropanol.  
   
   
       28 . The formulation of  claim 20 , wherein the non-volatile solvent is water.  
   
   
       29 . The formulation of  claim 20 , wherein the non-volatile solvent is a glycol.  
   
   
       30 . The formulation of  claim 29 , wherein the glycol is monopropylene glycol.  
   
   
       31 . The formulation of  claim 20 , wherein the ratio of volatile to non-volatile solvents is in the ratio 10:1 to 1:10.  
   
   
       32 . A formulation according to  claim 20 , wherein the viscosity is modified by addition of silicon dioxide.  
   
   
       33 . A carrier material, comprising one or more essential oil or essential oil components impregnated thereon, wherein the carrier is a resilient or rigid material having a length of at least 200 mm.  
   
   
       34 . A carrier material according to  claim 33 , wherein the material is cardboard.  
   
   
       35 . A carrier material according to  claim 33 , comprising a length of about 300 mm and a width of no more than about 50 mm.  
   
   
       36 . A carrier material according to  claim 33 , wherein the carrier material comprises an elongated substantially flat card for insertion into a waste bin.  
   
   
       37 . Use of a composition of  claim 1 , to sanitize and deodorize a waste disposal bin.  
   
   
       38 . Use of a formulation of  claim 20 , to sanitize and deodorize a waste disposal bin.  
   
   
       39 . Use of a carrier material of  claim 33 , to sanitize and deodorize a waste disposal bin.  
   
   
       40 . A waste disposal bin comprising the composition of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       41 . A waste disposal bin comprising the formulation of  claim 20 .  
   
   
       42 . A waste disposal bin comprising a carrier of  claim 33.