The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 15, 2000
Filed:
Jul. 29, 1997
Thomas E McNeel, Memphis, TN (US);
Marilyn S Whittemore, Memphis, TN (US);
Stephen D Bryant, Memphis, TN (US);
Graciela H Vunk, Olive Branch, MS (US);
Buckman Laboratories International Inc., Memphis, TN (US);
Abstract
The invention relates to a method to inhibit bacteria from adhering to a submergible surface. The method contacts the submergible surface with an effective amount of at least one sulfamic acid or salt thereof to inhibit bacterial adhesion to the submergible surface. The invention also relates to a method for controlling biofouling of an aqueous system. This method adds an effective amount of at least one sulfamic acid or salt thereof to inhibit bacteria from adhering to a submerged surface within the aqueous system. This method effectively controls biofouling without substantially killing the fouling organisms. The sulfamic acid used in the method of the invention has the formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 NS(O).sub.2 (OH). In this formula, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently a hydrogen, a C.sub.4 -C.sub.20 alkyl group or a cyclohexyl group. However, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are not both hydrogen. Alternatively, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, together with the N, may also form a 5-8 membered heterocyclic ring having the formula: ##STR1## In the heterocyclic ring, X is O, NH, or CH.sub.2. The salt of sulfamic acid can be an acid salt or quaternized sulfamic acid salt. The present invention also relates to a composition containing sulfamic acids or salts thereof useable in the above methods. The compositions comprise at least one sulfamic acid or salt thereof in an amount effective to inhibit bacteria from adhering to submergible or submerged surfaces.