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Title: Method for neutralizing static electricity with mixed atmospheres
Claims: We claim: 1. A process for simultaneously neutralizing positive and negative static electric charges on surfaces, said process consisting essentially of: (A) contacting a first atmosphere with a positive static charge composition by spraying an effective amount of said positive static charge composition into said first atmosphere so that the resulting treated first atmosphere is capable of neutralizing negative static electric charges on surfaces contacting said treated first atmosphere; (B) contacting a second atmosphere with a negative static charge composition by spraying an effective amount of said negative static charge composition with said second atmosphere so that the resulting treated second atmosphere is capable of neutralizing positive static electric charges on surfaces contacting said treated second atmosphere; (C) mixing said treated first atmosphere with said treated second atmosphere to thereby form a mixed atmosphere; and (D) contacting at least one surface having positive and negative static electric charges thereon with said mixed atmosphere to thereby simultaneously neutralize positive and negative static charges on said at least one surface. 2. Process according to claim 1 wherein said first atmosphere and said second atmosphere are independently selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, noble gases and mixtures thereof. 3. Process according to claim 2 wherein said negative static charge composition is water. 4. Process according to claim 2 wherein said positive static charge composition is an aqueous solution consisting essentially of tetrabutyl ammonium bromide. 5. Process according to claim 2 wherein said positive static charge composition is an aqueous solution consisting essentially of dodecylbenzyl triethyl ammonium chloride. 6. Process according to claim 2 wherein said positive static charge composition is an aqueous solution consisting essentially of about 500 to about 3000 ppm of a composition comprising (1) borax, and (2) a surfactant selected from the group consisting of (a) a nonionic surfactant having an HLB number of 6.6, (b) a nonionic surfactant having an HLB number of 3.0, and (c) a liquid, nonionic fatty acid alkylolamide; the weight ratio of borax to surfactant being about 1.2:1 to about 15:1. 7. Process according to claim 2 wherein said positive static charge composition is an aqueous solution consisting essentially of about 0.5 to about 20 ppm of at least one quaternary ammonium compound of the formula ##STR4## wherein (1) each of the R- groups is the same and is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.3 to C.sub.8 substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic or cyclic groups; or (2) one or two of the R- groups are independently selected from C.sub.8 to C.sub.18 substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic or cyclic groups and the remaining R- groups are independently selected from substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 to C.sub.2 groups; X is an inorganic anion; n equals 1, 2 or 3; said quaternary ammonium compound being soluble in water to an extent of at least about 0.5 ppm at about 10.degree. C. 8. Process according to claim 7 in which each of said R- groups is a branched or straight chain aliphatic group. 9. Process according to claim 7 wherein at least one of said R- groups is an unsaturated alkyl group. 10. Process according to claim 7 wherein at least one of said R- groups is an unsaturated alkyl group. 11. Process according to claim 7 in which at least one of said R- groups is substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of Cl, F, Br, I, OH, NO.sub.2, HSO.sub.3, NH.sub.2 --, NH<, COOH--, CHO--, ##STR5## --C.tbd.N, --CNH.sub.2 groups and in which said quaternary ammonium compound is capable of forming micelles in aqueous solution. 12. Process according to claim 7 wherein at least one of said R- groups is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group. 13. Process according to claim 7 wherein each of the R- groups is identical. 14. Process according to claim 7 in which X is a chloride, fluoride, bromide, iodide, sulfate, nitrate or phosphate ion. 15. Process according to claim 2 wherein said negative static charge composition is an aqueous solution consisting essentially of about 0.5 to about 50 ppm of at least one surfactant capable of being dissolved in water having a surface tension against air of about 72.75 dynes/cm at 20.degree. C. to thereby form a surfactant solution having a surface tension against air of about 38 to about 60 dynes/cm at 20.degree. C. when said surfactant solution contains about 0.0005 to about 0.1 weight percent of said surfactant. 16. Process according to claim 15 in which said surfactant is selected from the group consisting of (a) a nonionic surfactant having an HLB number of 6.6, (b) a nonionic surfactant having an HLB number of 3.0, (c) an amphoteric caprylic dicarboxylate imidazoline derivative surfactant, (d) a nonionic modified oxyethylated straight chain alcohol surfactant, and (e) an anionic sodium sulfonate. 17. Process according to claim 15 in which said surfactant is comprised of a mixture of (a) an amphoteric caprylic dicarboxylate imidazoline derivative surfactant, and (b) a nonionic modified oxyethylated straight chain alcohol surfactant. 18. Process according to claims 1, 4, 6, 7, 15, 16 or 17 in which said treated first atmosphere, said treated second atmosphere or both of said treated atmospheres are in laminar flow. 19. Process according to claim 1 in which said first atmosphere, said second atmosphere or both of said atmospheres are comprised of a multiplicity of gaseous streams into which said compositions are sprayed. Other info: Inventors: Friedman, Jr., Lester A. (Atlanta, GA, US) Faulkner, James D. (Atlanta, GA, US) Application Number: 945753 Filing Date: 1978-09-25 Publication_date: 1979-09-25 Assignee: Lester Laboratories, Inc. (Atlanta, GA) Primary Class(es): 361/212 Other Classes: US Patent Ref:
Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Miller, J D Assistant Examiner: Schroeder, L. Attorney: Beveridge, DeGrandi, Kline & Lunsford |
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