WO2016148627A1

WO2016148627A1 - Birds and insects repellent composition containing liquide rosin esters

Info

Publication number: WO2016148627A1
Application number: PCT/SE2016/050204
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lisa LINDBLOM; Stefan LAGERQUIST
Original assignee: Scrow AB
Current assignee: Scrow AB
Priority date: 2015-03-13
Filing date: 2016-03-13
Publication date: 2016-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2017-09-13
Also published as: SE1500134A1

Abstract

A bird/insect-repellent composition for application to surfaces is provided, which acts to repel birds or insects from the surfaces, the bird/insect repellent composition comprising (a) a water-insoluble liquid rosin component comprising one or more liquid rosin esters; and (b) a rheology-modifying component.

Description

BIRDS AND INSECTS REPELLENT COMPOSITION CONTAINING

LIQUIDE ROSIN ESTERS

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a bird/insect repellent composition and to the use of the defined bird/insect repellent composition for repelling birds and or insects.

Background of the invention

Keeping birds away from buildings and areas frequented by people is a common objective. It is known to address this problem by the use of netting and wires configured to prevent the birds from landing on the surfaces in question. These solutions can be unsightly, expensive and time-consuming to construct, and often require constant maintenance. They may also give rise to unintended and

undesirable consequences, such as the trapping, maiming and even killing of birds.

An alternative approach known in the art involves the application of a sticky polyisobutene gel to the relevant surfaces. Polyisobutene is a non-drying, sticky polymer which is registered for use as a bird and squirrel repellent. When birds land on treated objects or surfaces, they dislike the unpleasant sticky sensation and usually do not return. Polyisobutene's sticky quality therefore is the source of the repellent action of products containing this active ingredient. Polybutene products may be used outdoors or indoors, on buildings or adjacent structures where birds land or roost. Formulations include a gel which is applied as a bead strip to surfaces with a ready-to-use tube or caulking gun, and a liquid concentrate which is applied with a paint brush or sprayed on using a hand or pressure sprayer. Polyisobutene has the disadvantage that, if it becomes washed off by snow and rain, the residues of this material can build up in the environment, because they are very stable and do not readily break down. Birds whose feathers contact the sticky material may become temporarily entrapped, or their feathers may become coated with gel. When such incidents occur, they can be fatal to the bird.

Surveillance systems including cameras are common today. Use of web cameras is important to create a safe enviroment for citizens. There is a big problem especially with outdoor cameras due to insects blocking the camera lens with its body or by excrements from insects. Spider webs can also be a problem.

Bird-repellent, chemical formulations are known in the art. One technical approach has been to use anthraquinone as active ingredient. Anthroquinone is a commercially available compound (CAS No. 84-65-1 ) which is recognized as an effective avian feeding deterrent. Reference can be made, for example, to GB 1 ,098,687 and US3,941 ,887. Anthraquinone presents environmental challenges however, because it is not readily biodegradable and is toxic to fish. Furthermore, it also presents manufacturers with significant safety challenges due to the highly combustible properties of the substance and the toxicity of the reaction products generated, if it does combust. It cannot be used near an open flame or in extreme heat due to its risk of catching fire. Furthermore, the risk that the substance may combust necessitates the wearing of respirators, gloves and eye protection by workers dealing with it.

With reference to US 2009/0277972 A1 , an alternative chemical approach is presented, employing a scent-emitting substance, such as the urine of an animal, as a repellent. To the extent that this works at all, it may often be very breed-specific and the effects of the scent may be of only short duration, especially in wet weather.

It is also known to use a bioactive agent, such as an animal-repellent, in combination with an oil, which oil acts as a performance aid. Reference is made to European patent EP 1 675 460 which discloses a list of suitable oils, including so-called "tall oil".

Finally, with reference to US 2005/0019292 A1 , it is known to combine high softening point rosin esters, made for example with glycerol (the typical softening point for a glycerol ester is 85C), with fumed silica in the unrelated technical discipline of manufacturing of epilatory strips for hair removal. The epilatory composition described is stated to be shape-stable for periods of 6 months, that is, not to flow, at temperatures up to 50^°C. Summary of the invention

A first object of the present invention is to provide an alternative bird deterrent, which overcomes the problems associated with prior art approaches. In particular, the present inventors seek to provide an environmentally-friendly solution to the problem of deterring and repelling birds, which solution retains its efficacy for long periods of 12 months or more, even if exposed to harsh weather conditions, including rain and snow, and temperatures varying from well below zero to in excess of 40^°C. A second object of the present invention is to reduce the presence of insects on camera lenses in surveillance systems and thereby also reduce dirt on the camera lens caused by insects.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a bird/insect-repellent composition for application to surfaces is provided, which acts to repel birds/insects from the surfaces, the bird/insect repellent composition comprising (a) a water-insoluble liquid rosin component comprising one or more liquid rosin esters; and (b) a rheology- modifying component. The term "liquid", when used herein in relation to a material, refers to the state of the material at 25C and atmospheric pressure.

As referred to herein, the term "water-insoluble", when used in relation to a material, means that the material has a solubility in water at 25C of less than 0.5%wt, preferably less than 0.1 %wt.

As referred to herein, all weight percentages (%wt) are weight percentages of the total bird/insect-repellent composition. As referred to herein, all viscosity measurements are made using a Brookfield

Viscometer at 40^°C.

As referred to herein, the "softening temperature" or "softening point" is determined by a "ring and ball" method as follows: fill a softening point ring with molten sample, making sure it is level and allow to set. Place ring into holder with ball-centering guide and ball. Add 600 imL glycerin to a 1000 imL beaker. Place a stir rod and the sample holder into the glycerin. Place a temperature probe into the glycerin at the level of the samples. Heat the glycerin at a rate of 5°C/minute with rapid, but not turbulent agitation. Record the temperature at which the ball, or the material surrounding the ball touches the bottom of the holder after falling through the molten sample.

As referred to herein, "acid value" is determined as follows: dissolve 1 .5 - 2.0 grams of rosin ester in n-Propanol and titrate with 0.1 N methanolic KOH solution until a phenolphthalein endpoint (faint pink color persists for at least 15 seconds). Report results as mg KOH/g resin.

Rosin ester may be obtained by the esterification of so-called "tall oil", although alternative raw materials, such as gum or wood rosin may instead by used. All of these materials are derived from pine trees or other conifers. Tall oil is a viscous liquid obtained as a by-product of the Kraft process of wood pulp manufacture when pulping mainly coniferous trees. The name originated as an anglicization of the Swedish "tallolja" ("pine oil"). Crude tall oil normally contains rosin

acids (mainly abietic acid and its isomers and derivatives, but also noticeable quantities of pimaric acid), fatty acids (mainly palmitic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid) and fatty alcohols), unsaponifiable sterols, some sterols, and

other alkyl hydrocarbon derivates. Tall oil is essentially an environmentally-friendly, natural product.

The rosin acid may be separated from the other components by distillation and converted to esters by reaction with various alcohols. The molecular weight and functionality of the alcohol determines, in large part, the molecular weight and properties, such as softening point, of the subsequent ester. For example, a higher molecular weight alcohol, such as pentaerythritol, may give rise to an ester having higher cohesion and adhesion, melt viscosity and softening point than an ester made with a lower molecular weight alcohol, such as glycerol. Low softening point, liquid rosin esters generally have higher tackiness, decreased viscosity and cohesion. Advantageously, the liquid rosin component of the bird/insect-repellent composition according to the first aspect of the invention has a softening temperature less than 10^°C, preferably less than 7^°C. The person skilled in this area knows how to make a liquid rosin ester in this softening point range.

The bird-repellent composition according to the first aspect of the invention utilises the tackiness of the liquid rosin component to achieve its bird-deterrent effects. The bird-repellent composition should be of sufficient tackiness to repel birds, but not so tacky as to retard or immobilise birds or to rapidly become covered with adhered dust and leaves such that it loses its efficacy and this objective may be achieved by the incorporation of the liquid rosin component. The tackiness combined with the liquid rosin component's water insolubility ensure that the bird-repellent composition adheres well to surfaces, does not become solubilised or entrained by rain and snow and may therefore remain in place for many months, or even years. The low softening point may have the additional advantage of facilitating easy application at ambient temperatures.

Description of embodiments of the invention The bird/insect-repellent composition of the first aspect of the invention

advantageously comprises 80-99%wt and preferably 95-99%wt of the liquid rosin component.

Preferably the liquid rosin component has an acid value (imgKOH/g) of less than 30 and more preferably less than 20. A low acid value may be better for the environment and any animals which may come into contact with the bird-repellent composition.

A suitable commercially available rosin ester is "Sylvatac RE 5S" supplied by Arizona Chemical LLC.

The bird-repellent composition of the first aspect of the invention may be applied by hand, such as with a brush or roller, or pumped onto surfaces using a pump or caulking gun in order to coat those surfaces. Advantageously, the bird-repellent composition has a viscosity greater than 5Pas, preferably greater than 6Pas, but less than 300Pas, advantageously less than 200 Pas. A viscosity toward the low end of the range may facilitate an easier application of the bird-repellent composition to a surface, but below 5Pas, the bird-repellent composition may flow too easily, especially on downwardly-angled surfaces, which may reduce the durability of the composition. Above 300Pas, the composition may become too stiff to apply.

In order to ensure that the bird/insect-repellent composition according to the invention has the requisite viscosity, the bird-repellent composition additionally comprises a rheology modifier, which preferably acts as a thickener. The rheology modifier advantageously comprises a material selected from natural clay, chemically- modified natural clay, synthetic clay, fumed silica, coated fumed silica, synthetic silicates, natural or synthetic organic polymers and gums or mixtures thereof. More advantageously, the rheology modifier comprises fumed (pyrogenic) silica,

organophilic clay, such as organically modified montmorillonite, or mixtures thereof. More advantageously still, the rheology modifier comprises fumed silica and it preferably consists only of fumed silica.

A suitable commercially available fumed silica is supplied by Wacker Chemie AG as "HDK N20".

Preferably, the bird/insect-repellent composition comprises 1 -20%wt, more preferably 1 -5%wt of rheology-modifier.

The bird-repellent composition according to the first aspect of the invention may additionally comprise a scent. The scent may render the bird-repellent composition pleasantly fragranced to the human nose or may, alternatively, be a scent which deters humans from touching the tacky surface or further deters animals, especially birds, from surfaces to which the bird-repellent composition has been applied. The bird-repellent composition according to the first aspect of the invention may additionally comprise a dye or pigment. The dye or pigment may bestow a suitable colour to the bird-repellent composition, for example a colour which blends with the colour of a building or the environment in a garden. Alternatively, the colour may be one which warns humans about the tacky surface and/or further deters animals, especially birds, from approaching a surface to which the bird-repellent composition has been applied. Dyes may tend to have low light fastness, so pigments are generally preferred. The bird/insect-repellent composition according to the invention may additionally comprise one or more of an anti-oxidant material, an organic or an inorganic sunscreen to mitigate damage to the bird/insect-repellent composition caused by exposure to oxidising agents and ultra violet light. The bird/insect-repellent composition according the invention may be packaged in any suitable packaging, such as a bottle, a jar or a cartridge for a caulking gun. The composition may be applied to the surface to be treated by any suitable means, such as a brush, a roller or a caulking gun. According to a second aspect of the invention, a process is provided to repel birds comprising the step of applying the bird-repellent composition according to the first aspect of the invention to a surface from which birds are to be repelled. The surface may comprise stone, metal, tile, brick, wood, slate, bitumen, plastics, concrete, wires and cables, glass, granite or mixtures thereof and may be internal (that is, within a building or other structure) or external (that is, exposed to the elements).

A third aspect of the invention comprises the use of the bird/insect-repellent composition of the first aspect of the invention to repel birds/insects. Example

The following bird/insect-repellent composition according to the invention was manufactured by adding the rheology modifier into the liquid rosin ester and mixing for 10 minutes to homogenously disperse the rheology modifier. The bird/insect- repellent composition was then applied as a thin coating to a wooden surface:

Component %wt

Liquid Rosin Ester¹ 95

Pyrogenic silica² 5 ¹ Sylvatac RE 5S supplied by Arizona Chemical LLC

² HDK N20 (rheology modifier) supplied by Wacker Chemie AG An identical surface in the same location was left untreated. The treated surface was observed over a 6 month period to be frequented by far fewer birds.

It will be appreciated that features of the invention are susceptible to being combined in any combination without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1 . A bird/insect-repellent composition for application to surfaces, which acts to repel birds/insects from the surfaces, the bird/insect-repellent composition comprising (a) a water-insoluble liquid rosin component comprising one or more liquid rosin esters; and (b) a rheology-modifying component.

2. The bird/insect-repellent composition of claim 1 , wherein the liquid rosin component has a softening temperature less than 10^°C, preferably less than 7^°C.

3. The bird/insect-repellent composition of claim 1 or 2, comprising 80-99%wt, preferably 95-99%wt liquid rosin component.

4. The bird/insect-repellent composition of any preceding claim, wherein the liquid rosin component has an acid number of less than 30, preferably less than 20.

5. The bird/insect-repellent composition of any preceding claim, comprising 1 - 20%wt, preferably 1 -5%wt rheology modifier.

6. The bird/insect-repellent composition of any preceding claim, wherein the rheology modifier comprises a material selected from natural clay, chemically- modified natural clay, synthetic clay, fumed silica, coated fumed silica, synthetic silicates, natural or synthetic organic polymers and gums or mixtures thereof.

7. The bird/insect-repellent composition of claim 6, wherein the rheology modifier comprises fumed silica and preferably consists only of fumed silica.

8. The bird/insect-repellent composition of any preceding claim, comprising a dye, a pigment, a fragrance, an anti-oxidant, a sunscreen, or mixtures thereof.

9. A process to repel bird/insects from surfaces, comprising the step of applying the bird/insect-repellent composition according to any preceding claim to a surface from which birds or insects are to be repelled.

10. The use of a bird/insect-repellent composition according to any of claims 1 to 8 to repel birds or insects.