Wood preservative composition

Abstract

In general, the present disclosure is directed to a wood preservative composition. In one example embodiment, the wood preservative composition may include one or more azole compounds. The wood preservative compound may further include an insecticide. For instance, the first azole compound and the second azole compound may be present in the wood preservative composition at a ratio of from about 1:10 to about 10:1. Also, the wood preservative composition is substantially free of organic acid.

Description

WOOD PRESERVATIVE COMPOSITIONRELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 535,604 having a filing date of August 31, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] Wood-based products are subject to attack from a wide variety of organisms, including molds, fungi, and insects. As such, these organisms may cause the wood in the wood-based product to decay and reduce the product's mass and structural integrity’. Wood preservatives have been developed to combat microorganism attacks. Wood-based products may be treated with a wood preservative via applying the preservative directed to the surface, by dip, spray, or brush, or by double vacuum immersion. During industrial application of preservatives, wood-based products are typically vacuum pressure impregnated with the preservative treatment solution to achieve either Bethell or full-cell ty pe penetration into the substrate. A yvood preservative treatment may have a significant bearing on the useful service life of the treated yvood-based product.

[0003] Known wood preservatives suffer various drawbacks. For instance, certain wood preservatives include an organic acid, which can be expensive and / or less effective than other products. As another example, certain yvood preservatives include a volatile organic compound (VOC), which is under much global scrutiny.

[0004] While commercially available wood preservatives have been used successfully as ground contact preservatives around the world, there are fungi which have proved resistant to certain wood preservative formulations. Fungi that are resistant to a particular wood preservative may cause staining and degradation of the wood preservative.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for yvood preservative compositions that offer enhanced biocidal efficacy. It would be a benefit to provide a biocidal composition that exhibits prolonged efficacy against yvood decaying microorganisms, including fungi.SUMMARY

[0006] In general, the present disclosure is directed to a yvood preservative composition. The wood preservative composition may be useful in inhibiting proliferation of wood decaying microorganisms. In one example embodiment, the wood preservativecomposition may include one or more azole compounds. The wood preservative compound may further include an insecticide. For instance, the first azole compound and the second azole compound may be present in the wood preservative composition at a ratio of from about 1 : 10 to about 10:1. Also, the wood preservative composition is substantially free of organic acid.

[0007] In an example embodiment, the wood preservative composition may comprise a first azole compound, a second azole compound, and a neonicotinoid insecticide. For instance, the first azole may be present within the composition at no less than three percent and no greater than seven percent by weight of the composition. The second azole, for instance, may be present within the composition at no less than eight percent and no greater than twelve percent by weight of the composition. The neonicotinoid insecticide, for instance, may be present within the composition at no less than one tenth of a percent and no greater than two percent by weight of the composition.

[0008] Surprisingly, the wood preservative composition disclosed herein may be a microemulsion that is both physically and chemically stable for surface application at various dilution ratios. The wood preservative formulation may include a low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) content.

[0009] These and other features and aspects, embodiments and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Reference will now be made in detail to example embodiments of the disclosure. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

[0011] The present disclosure is generally directed to a w ood preservative composition. The w ood preservative composition may include one or more azole compounds. The wood preservative compound may further include an insecticide. Notably, the one or more azole compounds may include a mixture of a first azole compound and a second azole compound. For instance, the first azole compound and the second azole compound may be present in the w ood preservative composition at a ratio of from about 1: 10 to about 10:1. Also, the wood preservative composition is substantially free of organic acid.

[0012] Surprisingly, the wood preservative composition disclosed herein is a microemulsion that is both physically and chemically stable for surface application. For instance, the microemulsion wood preservative exhibits improved stability over time as a concentrate. For instance, the microemulsion wood preservative, as a concentrate, may remain stable for several weeks, such as from about one week to about fifty weeks, such as from about two weeks to about twenty weeks, such as from about four weeks to about ten weeks, or any range therebetween.

[0013] The microemulsion wood preservative concentrate remains stable when diluted with water at various ratios. As such, there is little to no precipitation present when the wood preservative concentrate is diluted. For instance, the wood preservative concentrate remains stable when diluted at a weight ratio of wood preservative concentrate to water from about 1 :5 to about 1 :200, such as from about 1: 10 to about 1 : 150, such as from about 1 : 15 to about 1 : 120, or any range therebetween.

[0014] Advantageously, the wood preservative may include a low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) content. High VOCs are recognized as environmental hazards as well as demonstrating personal hazards to those who work with chemicals in confined and / or unventilated spaces. In these spaces, VOCs can collect in the air which may cause breathing issues for employees and possible health concerns. Many known microbial additives that are used to treat wood products are known high VOCs, which has posed challenges. Poor treated wood performance can require increased working time to correct mistakes, such as streaking that are inherent to the wood preservative composition.

[0015] In one aspect, the wood preservative composition includes one or more azole compounds. As used herein, an “azole compound” refers to a compound comprising an azole group.

[0016] The azole may be an imidazole or a 1,2,4-triazole. or, in an aspect, a pyrazole. Nonetheless, in an aspect, the azole may be represented by the general formula (III)where:X denotes CR4or N;R1denotes hydrogen or a linear, branched, cyclic, aromatic or any combination thereof, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted Ci to C40 group, any of the carbon atoms other than those bound to the nitrogen atom shown in formula (IV) may be replaced with an optionally substituted hetero atom;R2denotes hydrogen. Ci-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, Ce-C 10 aromatic, Cs-C 10 heteroaromatic or C1-C4 alkyl carbamate; andR3and R4denote hydrogen; or together R3and R4may provide a benzimidazole group (i.e. R3and R4may combine to form -(CH)4-).

[0017] The wood preservative composition of the present disclosure may include one or more azole compounds, such as mixtures of an imidazole and a 1,2,4-tnazole, or mixtures of two or more 1,2,4-triazoles. Using a mixture of azoles may allow7a broader range of activity against fungi in some example aspects. How ever, in one example aspect, the preservative composition of the present disclosure utilizes one or more 1 ,2,4-triazole(s) alone or in combination with an imidazole.

[0018] The imidazole compound incorporates a five-membered diunsaturated ring composed of three carbon atoms and two nitrogen atoms at non-adjacent positions. The imidazole compound may be a benzimidazole. In one example aspect, the azole may include thiabendazole, imazalil, carbendazim and prochloraz.

[0019] The 1,2,4-triazole compound incorporates a five-membered diunsaturated ring composed of three nitrogen atoms and two carbon atoms at non-adjacent positions.

[0020] In one example aspect, triazole compounds include a triazole compound selected from compounds of formula (IV):(IV)where R5represents a branched or straight chain C1-5 alkyl group (e.g. t-butyl) andR6represents a phenyl group optionally substituted by one or more substituents selectedfrom halogen (e.g. chlorine, fluorine or bromine) atoms or C1-3 alky l (e.g. methyl), Ci- 3 alkoxy (e.g. methoxy), phenyl or nitro groups.

[0021] Alternatively, the triazole compound may be selected from compounds of formula (V):wherein R7is as defined for R6above and R8represents a hydrogen atom or a branched or straight chain C1-5 alkyl group (e g. n-propyl).

[0022] Particularly, in one example aspect, the azole may include one or more triazoles including, but not limited to, triadimefon, triadimenol, triazbutil, propiconazole, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, fluquinconazole, tebuconazole, flusilazole, uniconazole, diniconazole, bitertanol, hexaconazole, azaconazole, flutriafol, epoxy conazole, tetraconazole, penconazole, ipconazole, prothioconazole and mixtures thereof.

[0023] In a further example aspect, triazoles include propiconazole, azaconazole, hexaconazole, tebuconazole, cyproconazole, triadimefon, ipconazole, prothioconazole and mixtures thereof, such as, in one example aspect, propiconazole, tebuconazole, cyproconazole and mixtures thereof. Moreover, in an example aspect, the azole includes propiconazole, tebuconazole, or mixtures thereof.

[0024] Furthermore, in one example aspect, if a mixture of propiconazole and tebuconazole is utilized, propiconazole and tebuconazole may be used in mixture in a ratio of propiconazole to tebuconazole of about 1 : 10 to about 10: 1, such as about 1 : 5 to about 5: 1, such as about 1 : 1 to 5 : 1. such as about 3: 1 by weight, or any ranges or values therebetween.

[0025] Regardless of the azole or azoles selected, the azole may be present in the preservative composition in an amount of about 0.01% to about 20% by weight, such as about 0.1% to about 18%, such as about 0.25% to about 16%. such as about 0.5% to about 15%, such as about 0.75% to about 14%, such as about 0.9% to about 12.5% by weight ofthe composition, such as about 2.5% to about 10% by weight, such as from about 5% to about 7.5% by weight, or any ranges or values therebetween.

[0026] Moreover, notwithstanding the type or amount of azole(s) selected, the azole may be present in oil-in-water emulsified form in combination with a solvent and emulsifying agent, or surfactant, or a combination thereof. For instance, in an example aspect, the azole oil droplet particles have a size of about 10 microns or less, such as about 8 microns or less, such as about 6 microns or less, such as about 5 microns or less, such as about 4 microns or less, such as about 3 microns or less, such as about 2 microns or less, such as about 1 micron or less. Additionally, or alternatively, at least about 10% or more of the azole particles have a size of about 1 micron or less, such as about 25% or more, such as about 50% or more, such as about 60% or more, such as about 70% or more, such as about 80% or more, such as about 90% or more, such as about 95% or more.

[0027] In one example aspect, the wood preservative composition may further include an insecticide. The following insecticides grouped by mode of action according to the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) are suitable for example embodiments of the invention.

[0028] GABA-gated chloride channel blockers comprising phenylpyrazoles (IRAC code 2B) including acetoprole, ethiprole, fipronil, flufiprole, pyrafluprole, pyriprole, vaniliprole.

[0029] Sodium channel modulators comprising pyrethroids (IRAC code 3A) including acrinathrin, allethrin, bifenthrin, chloroprallethrin, cycloprothrin, cyfluthrin, beta- cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, gamma-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, alpha- cypermethrin, beta-cypermethrin, theta-cypermethrin, zeta-cypermethrin, cyphenothrin, deltamethrin, dimefluthrin. esfenvalerate, etofenprox, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, esfenvalerate, flucythrinate, flumethrin, fluvalinate, tau-fluvalinate. halfenprox, imiprothrin, kadethrin, metofluthrin, permethrin, phenothrin, prallethrin, profluthrin, protrifenbute, pyrethrins I and II, resmethrin, silafluofen, tefluthrin, tetramethrin, tralomethrin, transfluthrin, valerate, and enantiomers thereof.

[0030] Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators comprising neonicotinoids (IRAC code 4A) including acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, imidaclothiz, nitenpyram, nithiazine, paichongding, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam; and other (nAChR) competitive modulators (IRAC codes 4A-4E) including nicotine, sulfoxaflor, fl upy radifur one and triflumezopyrim.

[0031] nAChR Allosteric modulators (IRAC code 5) including spinetoram. spinosad.

[0032] Glutamate-gated chloride channel allosteric modulators (IRAC code 6) including abamectin, emamectin benzoate, lepimectin and milbemectin

[0033] Juvenile hormone mimics (IRAC code 7) including hydroprene. kinoprene, methoprene, fenoxycarb and pyriproxyfen.

[0034] Chordotonal organ TRPV channel modulators (IRAC code 9B) including pymetrozine and pyrifluquinazon and (IRAC code 9D) including afidopyropen.

[0035] Mite growth inhibitors (IRAC code 10) may include clofentezine, diflovidazin, hexythiazox and etoxazole.

[0036] Inhibitors of mitochondrial ATP synthase (IRAC code 12) including diafenthiuron, azocyclotin, cyhexatin, fenbutatin oxide, propargite, and tetradifon.

[0037] Uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation (IRAC code 13) including chlorfenapyr. DNOC and sulfluramid.

[0038] nAChR Channel blockers (IRAC code 14) including bensultap, cartap hydrochloride, thiocyclam and thiosultap-sodium.

[0039] Inhibitors of chitin biosynthesis, type 0 (IRAC code 15) including bistrifluron, chlorfluazuron. diflubenzuron. fluey cl oxuron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, lufenuron, novaluron, noviflumuron, teflubenzuron, and triflumuron; and type 1 (IRAC code 16) including buprofezin.

[0040] Ecdysone receptor agonists (IRAC code 18) including chromafenozide, halofenozide, methoxyfenozide and tebufenozide.

[0041] Octopamine receptor agonists (IRAC code 19) including amitraz.

[0042] Mitochondrial complex III electron transport inhibitors (IRAC code 20) including hydramethylnon, acequinocyl, fluacr pyrim and bifenazate.

[0043] Mitochondrial complex I electron transport inhibitors (IRAC code 21) including fenazaquin, fenpyroximate, pyridaben. pyrimidifen. tebufenpyrad, tolfenpyrad and rotenone.

[0044] Voltage-dependent sodium channel blockers (IRAC code 22) including indoxacarb and metaflumizone.

[0045] Inhibitors of acetyl CoA carboxylase (IRAC code 23) including spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, spiropidion and spirotetramat.

[0046] Mitochondrial complex II electron transport inhibitors (IRAC code 24) including cyenopyrafen, cyflumetofen and pyflubumide.

[0047] Ryanodine receptor modulators (IRAC code 28) including chlorantraniliprole, cyantranihprole, cyclamliprole, flubendiamide and tetranihprole.

[0048] Chordotonal organ modulators (IRAC code 29) including flonicamid.

[0049] GABA-gated chloride channel allosteric modulators (IRAC code 30) including broflanilide, fluxametamide and isocycloseram.

[0050] Also included are insecticides of unknown or uncertain mode of action including acynonapyr, benzpyrimoxan, cyhalodiamide, dimpropyridaz, oxazosulfyl and pyridalyl.

[0051] The insecticides used in the composition of the present disclosure are known and include but are not limited to, for example GABA-gated chloride channel blockers comprising phenylpyrazoles, sodium channel modulators comprising pyrethroids and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators comprising neonicotinoids.

[0052] In one example embodiment, the insecticide may be independently selected from the group consisting of phenylpyrazoles, pyrethroids and neonicotinoids.

[0053] The insecticide may be independently selected from the group consisting of dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, or a combination thereof. In one example embodiment, the insecticide may be imidacloprid.

[0054] Regardless of the insecticide selected, the insecticide may be present in the preservative composition in an amount of about 0.01% to about 5% by weight, such as about 0. 1% to about 2.5%, such as about 0.25% to about 1%, such as about 0.5% to about 0.75% by weight, or any ranges or values therebetween.

[0055] The one or more azole compound and the insecticide may be present in the wood preservative composition at a ratio of azole to insecticide of from about 30: 1 to about 2: 1, such as from about 25 : 1 to about 1: 1, such as from about 10: 1 to about 1 : 1 , or any range therebetween.

[0056] Furthermore, in one example aspect, the preservative composition may include a solvent, a surfactant, a diluent, an emulsifier, or a combination thereof.

[0057] The wood preservative composition disclosed herein may utilize one or more surfactants. The surfactants function as emulsifiers and help to keep the water-insoluble components of the formulation in the form of a stable emulsion of small particles suspended in an aqueous phase.

[0058] Suitable types of nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, poly oxy alkydene glycol alkyl ethers (e.g., polyoxyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, polyoxypropylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene / propylene alkyl ethers), glucoside alkyl ethers, polyoxyalkylene glycol alkylphenol ethers (e.g.. polyoxyethylene glycolalkylphenol ethers, polyoxypropylene glycol alkylphenol ethers, polyoxyethylene / propylene glycol alkylphenol ethers), glycerol alkyl esters, polyoxyalkylene glycol sorbitan alkyl esters (e.g.. polyoxyethylene glycol sorbitan alkyl esters), sorbitan alkyl esters, cocamide MEA, cocamide DEA, block copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol (poloxamers), polyalkoxylated tallow amines, alkoxylated fatty acids and the like and combinations thereof.

[0059] Particular nonionic surfactants include alkoxylated aliphatic mono-alcohols and alkoxylated aromatic mono-alcohols. Such surfactants are typically prepared by reacting one or more alkylene oxides (e.g., ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, mixtures of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide) with one or more mono-alcohols (e.g., aliphatic alcohols, which may be for example linear or branched, primary’ or secondary’, or aromatic alcohols, such as phenols, including alkyl- and aralkyl-substituted phenols). The number of moles of alkylene oxide reacted per mole of the mono-alcohol may' be varied as may' be desired, but ty pically is from about 2 to about 50 on average. If more than one type of alkylene oxide is used, the alky lene oxides may be reacted as a mixture (to provide a polyoxyalkylene segment having a random copolymer structure) or sequentially (to provide a polyoxyalkylene segment having a block copolymer structure).

[0060] Another suitable type of nonionic surfactant for use in the present disclosure is an alkoxylated aliphatic mono-alcohol which is an ethoxylated Cio-Cis aliphatic alcohol (in particular, a linear primary C12-C16 aliphatic alcohol (or mixture of such alcohols), which has been reacted with about 6 to about 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of aliphatic alcohol to provide an alkoxylated alcohol containing an average of about 6 to about 15 oxy ethylene repeating units per molecule). For example, the alkoxylated aliphatic monoalcohol may be an ethoxylated C12-C16 linear aliphatic alcohol containing an average of about 8 to about 12 ethylene oxide units per molecule. In particular, ethoxylated tridecanol containing an average of about 10 ethylene oxide units is suitable for use in the present disclosure.

[0061] Another suitable type of nonionic surfactant for use in the present disclosure is an alkoxylated C2-C8 aliphatic alcohol containing both ethylene oxide and propylene oxide units. The C2-C8 aliphatic alcohol may be n-butanol, for example. The ethylene oxide and propylene units may be arranged in a block manner (e.g., the surfactant may contain a polyoxyethylene block and a polyoxypropylene block). Also suitable for use as nonionic surfactants are alkoxylated phenols, in particular ethoxylated phenols wherein the phenolmay be substituted with one or more alkyl groups (in particular, long chain alkyd groups such as nonyl or dodecyl groups or aralkyl groups, such as in tristyrylphenol).

[0062] Suitable anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, surfactants containing anionic functional groups at their head, such as sulfate groups, sulfonate groups, phosphate groups, and carboxylate groups. The cationic counterion to the anionic functional group may be. for example, an alkali metal (e.g., Na, K) or an amine (ammonium) cation such as a quaternary ammonium. Useful types of anionic surfactants in the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, alkyl sulfates, alkyd ether sulfates, sulfated alkanolamides, glyceride sulfates, alkyl aryl sulfonates (including straight-chain alkydbenzenesulfonates, branched alkydbenzenesulfonates, alkylnaphthal ene-sulfonates), alpha olefin sulfonates, lignosulfonates, sulfo-carboxylic compounds (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, sulfosuccinates (including dialkylsulfosuccinates), sulfosuccinamates. organo phosphored surfactants, sacrosides, hydroxyalkane-sulfonates, alkanesulfonates, alkydphenoxy polyoxyethylene propyl sulfonates, salts of polyoxyethylene alkydsulfophenyl ethers, sodium N-methyl-N-oleyltaurates, monoamide disodium N- alkylsulfosuccinates. petroleum sulfonates, sulfated castor oil, sulfated tallow oil, salts of sulfuric esters of aliphatic alkydesters, salts of alkylsulfuric esters, salts of alkylsulfuric esters, sulfuric esters of polyoxyethylenealkylethers, salts of sulfuric esters of aliphatic monoglycerides, sodium salt of the monosulfated monoglyceride of hydrogenated coconut oil fatty acids, salts of sulfuric esters of polyoxyethylene alkylphenylethers, salts of alkylphosphoric esters, salts of phosphoric esters of polyoxyethylenealkylethers, salts of phosphoric esters of polyoxyethylenealkylphenylethers, partially saponified compounds of styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers, partially saponified compounds of olefin-maleic anhydride copolymers, naphthalenesulfonate-formalin condensates, higher alkyl sulfoacetates, and higher fatty acid esters of 1.2-dihydroxy propane sulfonate and combinations thereof. Particular among these anionic surfactants are sulfonate surfactants, in particular salts of alkyl aryl sulfonates, especially salts of Cs-Cis alkyd benzene sulfonates such as salts of dodecylbenzene sulfonate, and combinations thereof.

[0063] Further, certain surfactants and combinations of surfactants also have well- known activities disrupting membranes. This activity is general to several cationic surfactants, but is also true of certain non-ionic and ionic surfactants.

[0064] For instance, in one example aspect, the above referenced amounts and ratios correspond to a preservative composition that may be considered to be a concentrate. The preservative composition, regardless of whether the preservative composition is present asa concentrate may include a solvent, a surfactant, or a combination thereof, present in the preservative composition in an amount sufficient to stabilize and maintain the above discussed ‘'active” components in their dispersed or solubilized form.

[0065] Particularly, the preservative composition may be considered to be a concentrate present in the form of a liquid composition. However, it should be understood that, in one example aspect, no solvent is present, and the preservative composition may be a solid implant or paste. However, in one example aspect, the preservative composition is in the form of an emulsion made up of solubilized liquid droplets. Preferably, the emulsions are in the form of a micro-emulsion. The person skilled in the art of making emulsions knows how to make an emulsion according to example aspects of the invention by the use of suitable solvents and emulsifying agents.

[0066] Regardless of the surfactant(s) selected, the surfactant(s) may be present in the concentrate in an amount from about 1% to about 90% by weight, such as about 1.5% to about 80% by weight, such as about 2% to 70% by weight, such as about 2.5% to about60% by weight, such as about 3% to about 50% by weight, such as about 3.5% to about40% by weight, such as about 4% to about 20% by weight, such as about 4.5% to about17% by weight, such as about 5% to about 16% by weight, or any ranges or values therebetween. In one example aspect, if more than one surfactant is present, each of the surfactants may be present according to any one or more of the above weight percentages. However, in an example aspect, it should be understood that the above weight percentages encompass all of the anionic surfactants present in the concentrate.

[0067] For instance, the nonionic surfactant may be present in the preservative concentrate in an amount from about 1% to about 20% by weight, such as from about 2.5% to about 15% by weight, such as from about 5% to about 10% by weight, or any ranges or values therebetween. In one example aspect, the nonionic surfactant may be present in the preservative concentrate in an amount from about 2.5% to about 5% by weight.

[0068] The anionic surfactant, for instance, may be present in the preservative concentrate in an amount from about 10% to about 70% by weight, such as from about 15% to about 60% by weight, such as from about 25% to about 50% by weight, or any ranges or values therebetween. In one example aspect, the anionic surfactant may be present in the preservative concentrate in an amount from about 35% to about 50% by weight.

[0069] In one example aspect, the wood preservative composition disclosed herein may be a microemulsion formulation comprising the first azole compound, the second azolecompound, and at least one surfactant. Unexpectedly, the microemulsion formulation disclosed herein of the active azoles in combination with surfactants may be utilized for surface application and low VOC contents.

[0070] Furthermore, the wood preservative composition disclosed herein may include a non-aqueous solvent. In one example aspect, the non-aqueous solvent is still water- miscible, so as to aid in dissolution upon dilution of the disinfectant concentrate. Thus, in an example aspect, the non-aqueous solvent may be an alcohol, a glycol ether, a glycol, or a combination thereof.

[0071] Additionally or alternatively, the non-aqueous solvent may be a glycol or glycol ether solvent, such as diethylene glycol propyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol mono butyl ether, propylene glycol methyl, ethyl, or propyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl or ethyl ether, diisopropylene glycol monomethyl or ethyl ether, ethyl ether, methoxy-, ethoxy-, or butoxytriglycol, propylene glycol t-butyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, ethylene glycol diethyl ether, ethylene glycol dibutyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol butyl ether, glycerol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, dibutylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, hexylene glycol, butylene glycol (1,3-butyleneglycol, 1 ,2-butyleneglycol, 1,4-butyleneglycol), propylene glycol monocaprylate, and polyethylene glycol caprylate or combinations thereof.

[0072] The non-aqueous solvent, in an example aspect, may also be a diol, such as a propanediol or a butanediol, or combinations of any two or more of the above organic alcohols, diols, glycols, or glycol ethers. In one example aspect, the glycols, glycol ethers, diols, or organic alcohols may include hexylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, a glycol ether, a glycerol, or a combination thereof. Glycol ethers useful in various example aspects disclosed herein may include Hexyl Carbitol, Hexyl CELLOSOLVETM, Butyl CELLOSOLVETM, and Ethoxytriglycol, DOW ANOL™ Eph6 Glycol Ether (polyethylene glycol phenyl ether), UCAR™ Filmer IBT (2, 2, 4-trimethyl- 1,3 -pentanediol monoisobutyrate), DOW ANOL™ LoV 485 Glycol Ether (bis-dipropylene glycol n-butylether adipate), DOW ANOL™ TPnB Glycol Ether (tripropylene glycol n-propyl ether), DOW ANOL™ PnP Glycol Ether (propylene glycol n-propyl ether), Butoxytriglycol, Arcosolv PnB ( 1 -butoxy -2-propanol), Texanol (2.2.4-trimethyl-l,3- pentandiolmonoisobutyrat), or a combination thereof.

[0073] When present, the solvent may be present in the disinfecting concentrate in an amount of about 50% or less by weight of the wood preservative concentrate, such as about 49% or less, such as about 48% or less, such as about 47% or less, such as about 46% or less, such as about 45% or less, such as about 40% or less, such as about 35% or less, such as about 1% or more, such as about 5% or more, such as about 10% or more, such as about 15% or more, such as about 20% or more, or any ranges or values therebetween. Of course, the weight ratios may refer to the organic alcohol alone, the glycol ether alone, or may instead refer to a total weight of all of the solvents contained in the wood preservative concentrate.

[0074] Nonetheless, in one example aspect, the wood preservative composition may be diluted prior to use with one or more diluents. The diluent may be a further amount of the one or more solvents discussed above, or may be an alternative diluent as known in the art. Regardless, the diluent may be added to the wood preservative composition at a ratio of diluent to preservative composition of about 200: 1 to about 1:1, such as about 100:1 to about 1: 1, such as about 75: 1 to about 2:1, such as about 50: 1 to about 3: 1, such as about 40: 1 to about 4: 1, such as about 20: 1 to about 5: 1, or any ranges or values therebetween. Thus, in one example aspect, the wood preservative composition is present in the ready to use formulation in an amount of about 20 wt.% or less, such as about 15 wt.% or less, such as about 10 wt.% or less, such as about 7.5 wt.% or less, such as about 5 wt.% or less, such as about 2.5 wt.% or less, such as about 2 wt.% or less, such as about 1.5 wt.% or less, such as about 1 wt.% or less, or any ranges or values therebetween.

[0075] Stated in an alternative fashion, the diluent may be present in an amount such that the one or more azole compounds are present in a ready to use formulation (e.g. diluted preservative formulation) in an amount of about 10% or less by weight, such as about 5% or less, such as about 1% or less, such as about 2000 ppm or less, such as about 1000 ppm or less, such as about 500 ppm or less, or any ranges or values therebetween. Similarly, the insecticide may be present in the ready to use formulation in an amount of about 1% by weight or less, such as about 0.5% or less, such as about 0. 1% or less, such as about 750 ppm or less, such as about 500 ppm or less, such as about 400 ppm or less, such as about 200 ppm or less, such as about 100 ppm or less, or any values or ranges therebetween.

[0076] In one example aspect, the wood preservative composition, or the ready to use formulation may have a pH of about 3 to about 10, such as about 3.5 to about 9.5, such as about 4 to about 9, such as about 4.5 to about 8,5, such as about 5 to about 8, or any ranges or values therebetween. However, in one aspect, the above pH values refer to a pH of a preservative composition. Furthermore, in an aspect, the ready to use formulation may have a pH of about 4 to about 11, such as about 4.5 to about 10.5, such as about 5 to about 10, such as about 5.5 to about 9.5, such as about 6 to about 9, or any ranges or values therebetween. As known in the art, pH builders, pH buffers, and other pH adjusting agents may be used to obtain and stabilize the above pH values.

[0077] In one example aspect, the wood preservative formulation is used to treat a cellulosic or wood based substrate. In one aspect, cellulosic materials which may be treated with a wood preservative composition of the present disclosure include lignocellulosic substrates, wood plastic composites, cardboard and cardboard faced building products such as plasterboard, and cellulosic material, such as cotton. Also, leather, textile materials and even synthetic fibers, hessian, rope, and cordage as well as composite wood materials. For convenience, the present disclosure is described with reference to the treatment of wood but it will be appreciated that other cellulosic materials may be treated analogously. However, in one example aspect, though not exclusively, the wood preservative composition is applied to sawn timber, logs or laminated veneer lumber, OSB, or MDF. In one example aspect, the substrate is wood or a wood composite material which is intended to become wet during its life, for example, wood for window frames, timber used above ground in exposed environments, such as decking and timber used in ground contact or fresh water environments

[0078] In one example aspect, a treated cellulosic or wood based substrate may be treated with an amount of the preservative formulation (or ready to use formulation) such that the treated cellulosic or wood based substrate includes from about 40 grams per meter cubed (g / m3) to about 3 kg / m3boric acid equivalents, about 10 g / m3to about 300 g / m3azole, such as about 20 g / m3to about 260 g / m3azole, or a combination thereof. For instance, as shown in the examples, the present disclosure has found that the preservative formulation is able to penetrate even to the core of the cellulosic or wood-ased product, and evenly distribute the preservative.

[0079] How ever, in an example aspect, a wood or cellulosic based substrate may be treated with a ready to use preservative composition of the present disclosure. In such an example aspect, the wood or cellulosic based substrate may contain tebuconazole,propiconazole, imidacloprid, or a combination thereof in the amounts discussed above in regards to the ready to use composition.

[0080] Nonetheless, in one aspect, the present disclosure is further directed to a method of forming a wood preservative composition as well as treating a wood-based substrate with the wood preservative composition. For instance, in one example aspect, the azole compounds and the insecticide may be homogenized (e.g. decreased in size from larger than micron size to the above discussed sizes / particle size distribution), together, or may instead be homogenized separately and then combined, either alone, or in combination with one or more dispersants / complexing agents. Furthermore, in one example aspect, the azole compounds and the insecticide may be pre-mixed as discussed above, however, it should be understood that, in some example aspects, the preservative composition may be present in a multi-part form and mixed shortly before treating the wood or cellulose based substrate. However, in an example aspect, the preservative composition is in one-part form, such as a pack or mix, and contains each of the azole compounds and the insecticide in the amounts discussed above.

[0081] Regardless of the form of the preservative composition, in one example aspect is diluted as discussed above, and used to treat a wood or cellulose based substrate. For instance, in one example aspect, the application of the preservative composition of the present disclosure to the wood or cellulose based substrate may be by one or more of dipping, deluging, spraying, brushing, or other surface coating means or by impregnation methods, e.g., high pressure or double vacuum impregnation into the body of the wood or other material. In one aspect, the method is impregnation under pressure.

[0082] The preceding description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0083] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention is related.

[0084] As used in this application and in the claims, the singular forms '‘a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the term “includes” means “comprises”. The methods and compositions of the present disclosure, including components thereof, can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations of the embodiments described herein, as well as anyadditional or optional ingredients, components or limitations described herein or otherwise useful in biocidal compositions.

[0085] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, percentages, and so forth, as used in the specification or claims are to be understood as being modified by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, implicitly or explicitly, the numerical parameters set forth are approximations that may depend on the desired properties sought and / or limits of detection under standard test conditions / methods. When directly and explicitly distinguishing embodiments from discussed prior art, the embodiment numbers are not approximates unless the word “about” is recited.

[0086] As used herein, “optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described material, event or circumstance may or may not be present or occur, and that the description includes instances where the material, event or circumstance is present or occurs and instances in which it does not. As used herein, “w / w%” andmean by weight as relative to another component or a percentage of the total weight in the composition.

[0087] The term “about” is intended to mean approximately, in the region of, roughly, or around. When the term “about” is used in conjunction with a numerical range, it modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. Unless otherwise indicated, it should be understood that the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, numerical parameters should be read in tight of the number of reported significant digits and the application of ordinary rounding techniques.

[0088] The term “substantially free of’ when used to describe the amount of substance in a material is not to be limited to entirely or completely free of and may correspond to a lack of any appreciable or detectable amount of the recited substance in the material. Thus, e.g., a material is “substantially free of’ a substance when the amount of the substance in the material is less than the precision of an industry -accepted instrument or test for measuring the amount of the substance in the material. In certain example embodiments, a material may be “substantially free of’ a substance when the amount of the substance in the material is less than 10%, less than 9%, less than 8%, less than 7%, less than 6%, less than 5%, less than 4%, less than 3%, less than 2%, less than 1%, less than 0.5%. or less than 0.1% by weight of the material.

[0089] As used herein, the terms “first”, “second”, and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components.

[0090] Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations are combined and interchanged, such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other.

[0091] As used herein, the term “homogenized” as used herein means a median particle size in the range of 0.01 to 25 microns.

[0092] This written description uses examples to disclose the present disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

[0093] Furthermore, certain aspects of the present disclosure may be better understood according to the following examples, which are intended to be non-limiting and exemplary in nature. Moreover, it will be understood that the compositions described in the examples may be substantially free of any substance not expressly described.EXAMPLESExample 1Wood Preservative Composition

[0094] To manufacture the wood preservative concentrate, technical grades of the each solid, including tebuconazole, propiconazole, and imidacloprid, are charged to the reactor and mixed at 100 RPM for five minutes. Subsequently, the remaining ingredients except water, are charged to the reaction and mixed at 250 RPM until the mixture is homogenized. Next, water is added to the reactor and mixed at 200 RPM to uniform the solution.Example 2Stability of Diluted Solution:

[0095] The wood preservative concentrate described in Example 1 was diluted with water at varying ratios and the diluted solutions were analyzed at week 0, week 1, week 2, week 3, and week 4 for chemical stability over time (Tables 1-3).Table 1; Chemical Stability at 1:10 dilution at room temperatureTable 2: Chemical Stability at 1:15 dilution at room temperatureTable 3; Chemical Stability at 1:120 dilution at room temperature

[0096] Beneficially, active components of the wood preservative concentrate remained chemically stable at room temperature when diluted with water at various dilution factors for up to four weeks (Tables 1-3).

[0097] The wood preservative concentrate described in Example 1 is diluted with water at 1 : 120. Wood is vacuum-pressure treated with the diluted solutions (Table 4).Table 4: Diluted solution chemical composition and treated wood retention.

[0098] The microemulsion wood preservative remained stable following wood being vacuum-pressured with the 1: 120 dilution wood preservative solution.

[0099] These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention so further described in such appended claims.

Claims

What Is Claimed;1. A wood preservative composition, comprising: one or more azole compounds; and an insecticide; wherein the one or more azole compounds comprise a mixture of a first azole compound and a second azole compound present in the wood preservative composition at a ratio of from about 1: 10 to about 10: 1.

2. The wood preservative composition of claim 1 , wherein the one or more azole compounds comprise a tebuconazole, a propiconazole, or a mixture thereof.

3. The wood preservative composition of claim 1, wherein the first azole comprises a propiconazole.

4. The wood preservative composition of claim 1 , wherein the second azole comprises a tebuconazole.

5. The wood preservative composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more azole compounds comprise emulsified azole oil droplet, wherein fifty percent or more of the emulsified azole oil droplets have a particle size of less than about one micron.

6. The wood preservative composition of claim 1, wherein the first azole compound and the second azole compound are present in the wood preservative composition at a ratio of from about 1 : 5 to about 5 : 1.

7. The wood preservative composition of claim 1, wherein the first azole compound and the second azole compound are present in the wood preservative composition at a ratio of from about 1 : 1 to about 5:1.

8. The wood preservative composition of claim 1, wherein the insecticide comprises a neonicotinoid.

9. The wood preservative composition of claim 8, wherein the neonicotinoid is independently selected from the group consisting of dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, or a combination thereof.

10. The wood preservative composition of claim 8, wherein the neonicotinoid comprises imidacloprid.

11. The wood preservative composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more azole compounds and the insecticide are present in the wood preservative composition at a ratio of azole to insecticide of from about 30: 1 to about 2: 1.

12. The wood preservative composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more azole compounds and the insecticide are present in the wood preservative composition at a ratio of azole to insecticide of from about 25: 1 to about 1:1.

13. The wood preservative composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more azole compounds and the insecticide are present in the wood preservative composition at a ratio of azole to insecticide of from about 10:1 to about 1:2.

14. The wood preservative composition of claim 1, further comprising a nonionic surfactant.

15. The wood preservative composition of claim 14, wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises sulfated castor oil.

16. The wood preservative composition of claim 1, further comprising an anionic surfactant.

17. The wood preservative composition of claim 16. the anionic surfactant comprising an alkylbenzene sulfonate.

18. The wood preservative composition of claim 1, further comprising a non-aqueous solvent comprising a glycol ester.

19. The wood preservative composition of claim 18. wherein the non-aqueous solvent is independently selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol mono butyl ether, propylene glycol methyl, ethyl, or propyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl or ethyl ether, diisopropylene glycol monomethyl or ethyl ether, methoxy-,ethoxy-, or butoxytriglycol, 1 -butoxy ethoxy -2-propanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol t-butyl ether, or mixtures thereof.

20. The wood preservative composition of claim 18. wherein the glycol ester comprises glycol ester comprises 2.2.4-trimethyl-l,3-pentandiolmonoisobutyrat.

21. A wood preservative composition, comprising: a first azole compound present within the composition at no less than three percent and no greater than seven percent by weight of the composition; a second azole compound present within the composition at no less than eight percent and no greater than twelve percent by weight of the composition; a neonicotinoid insecticide present within the composition at no less than one tenth of a percent and no greater than two percent by weight of the composition.

22. The wood preservative composition of claim 21, wherein the first azole comprises a propiconazole.

23. The wood preservative composition of claim 21, wherein the second azole comprises a tebuconazole.

24. The wood preservative composition of claim 21. wherein the neonicotinoid insecticide comprises one or more of dinotefuran, imidacloprid, and thiacloprid.

25. The wood preservative composition of claim 21. further comprising: a nonionic surfactant; an anionic surfactant; and a non-aqueous solvent.

26. The wood preservative composition of claim 25, wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises sulfated castor oil.

27. The wood preservative composition of claim 25. wherein the nonionic surfactant is present within the composition at no less than twenty percent and no greater than sixty percent by weight of the composition.

28. The wood preservative composition of claim 25, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises an alkylbenzene sulfonate.

29. The wood preservative composition of claim 25. wherein the anionic surfactant is present within the composition at no less than twenty percent and no greater than sixty percent by weight of the composition.

30. The wood preservative composition of claim 25. wherein the non-aqueous solvent comprises a glycol ester.

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