# US 2008/0187471 A1 · Biodegradable surface layer film for pools or spas to prevent evaporation and heat loss > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0187471 A1 - Document ID: US20080187471A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/701,032 - Filed: 2007-02-02 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-02 - Assignees: Smartpool LLC - Inventors: Alan Schuster; Larry Ruizzo; Richard Holstein; Shawn Mikuski - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080187471A1 ## CPC - C02F 1/68: by addition of specified substances, e.g. trace elements, for ameliorating potable water (medicinal water A61K) - C02F 1/682: {by addition of chemical compounds for dispersing an oily layer on water} - C02F 2103/02: Non-contaminated water, e.g. for industrial water supply - C02F 2103/42: from bathing facilities, e.g. swimming pools - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) ## Abstract The present invention relates to swimming pools and other pools of standing water, and in particular to a dispensing unit that distributes a chemical solution that reduces evaporation and heat loss by forming a film or monomolecular layer over the surface or substantial surface area of the swimming pool or water pond. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dispenser, including a solution for dispensing a film or monomolecular layer of biodegradable film over the surface of a swimming pool, hot tub, spa or other water pond to prevent evaporation, retain heat, and maintain the chemical balance of the swimming pool, hot tub, spa or water pond, the dispenser and solution comprising: a dispensing container, said dispensing container being generally spherical in shape, having a neutral buoyancy dependent upon water velocity flow causing said dispensing container to randomly move about freely and rotate, said dispending container defining a chamber of sufficient size to accommodate a solution to be dispensed, said solution forming a film or monomolecular, biodegradable surface layer on a body of water including the surface of said swimming pool, hot tub, spa or water pond so as to prevent evaporation, heat loss, and to maintain the chemical balance of said body of water. ### Claim 2 (depends on 2) The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 2 wherein said solution formulation is non-toxic, biodegradable, and forms an invisible layer on said surface of said pool, hot tub, spa or water pond. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 2 wherein said solution comprises a solution of water, deionized water, or filtered water and an evaporation inhibitor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 3 wherein said evaporative inhibitor is cetyl alcohol in a weight percent of from 1.0% to 8.0%, and said water, deionized water, or filtered water is present in a weight percent of from 92.0% to 99.0%. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 4 wherein said solution further includes non-ionic emulsifiers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 5 wherein said non-ionic emulsifiers include, but are not limited, poly-oxy-ethylene (20), sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, and poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether). ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 6 wherein said poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; said sorbitan monopalmitate is present in a range of 0.10% to 4.0%, and said poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) is present in a range of 0.10% to 4.0%. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 4 wherein said solution further includes preservatives for maintaining viscosity of the solution. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 8 wherein said preservatives include, but are not limited to, propylene glycol; methyl paraben; and propyl paraben. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 9 wherein said preservative propylene glycol is present in a maximum of 2.0%; said methyl paraben is present in a maximum of 0.15%; and said propyl paraben is present in a maximum of 0.05%. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 4 wherein said solution further includes an anti-foaming agent. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 11 wherein said anti-foaming agent is a silicone anti-foam in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 12 wherein said water, deionized water, or filtered water is present in the weight percent range of from 92.0% to 99.0%; said propylene glycol is present in a maxmimum of 2.0%; said methyl paraben is present in a maximum of 0.15%; said poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; said cetyl alcohol is present in a range of from 1.0% to 8.0%; said sorbitan monopalmitate is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; said poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; said antifoaming agent is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; and said propyl paraben is present in a maximum of from 0.05%. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 13 wherein in the preferred composition of matter comprising said non-toxic, biodegradable solution for forming a film on the surface of a swimming pool, hot tub, spa, or water pond, said constituents of said solution are present in the following preferred amounts by weight percent: deionized water 93.1%; propylene glycol 2.0%; methyl paraben 0.15%, poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate 0.2%; cetyl alcohol 4.0%; sorbitan monopalmitate 0.20%; poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) 58 0.20%; silicone antifoaming agent 0.10%; and propyl paraben 0.05%. ### Claim 15 A solution for forming a film or a monomolecular layer of biodegradable film over a body of water including the surface of a swimming pool, hot tub, spa or other water pond to prevent evaporation, retain heat, and maintain the chemical balance of the swimming pool, hot tub, spa or water pond, the solution comprising: water, deionized water, or filtered water and an evaporation inhibitor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The solution in accordance with claim 15 wherein said evaporative inhibitor is cetyl alcohol in a weight percent of from 1.0% to 8.0%, and said water, deionized water, or filtered water is present in a weight percent of from 92.0% to 99.0%. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The solution in accordance with claim 16 wherein said solution further includes non-ionic emulsifiers. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The solution in accordance with claim 17 wherein said non-ionic emulsifiers include, but are not limited, poly-oxy-ethylene (20), sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, and poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether). ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The solution in accordance with claim 18 wherein said poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; said sorbitan monopalmitate is present in a range of 0.10% to 4.0%, and said poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) is present in a range of 0.10% to 4.0%. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The solution in accordance with claim 16 wherein said solution further includes preservatives for maintaining viscosity of the solution. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The solution in accordance with claim 20 wherein said preservatives include, but are not limited to, propylene glycol; methyl paraben; and propyl paraben. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The solution in accordance with claim 21 wherein said preservative propylene glycol is present in a maximum of 2.0%; said methyl paraben is present in a maximum of 0.15%; and said propyl paraben is present in a maximum of 0.05%. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) The solution in accordance with claim 16 wherein said solution further includes an anti-foaming agent. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The solution in accordance with claim 23 wherein said anti-foaming agent is a silicone anti-foam in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The solution in accordance with claim 24 wherein said water, deionized water, or filtered water is present in the weight percent range of from 92.0% to 99.0%; said propylene glycol is present in a maxmimum of 2.0%; said methyl paraben is present in a maximum of 0.15%; said poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; said cetyl alcohol is present in a range of from 1.0% to 8.0%; said sorbitan monopalmitate is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; said poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; said silicone antifoaming agent is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; and said propyl paraben is present in a maximum of from 0.05%. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The solution in accordance with claim 25 wherein in the preferred composition of matter comprising said non-toxic, biodegradable solution for forming a film on the surface of a swimming pool, hot tub, spa, or water pond, said constituents of said solution are present in the following preferred amounts by weight percent: deionized water 93.1%; propylene glycol 2.0%; methyl paraben 0.15%, poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate 0.2%; cetyl alcohol 4.0%; sorbitan monopalmitate 0.20%; poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) 58 0.20%; silicone antifoaming agent 0.10%; and propyl paraben 0.05%. ### Claim 27 A solution for forming a film or monomolecular layer of biodegradable film over a body of water including the surface of a swimming pool, hot tub, spa or other water pond to prevent evaporation, retain heat, and maintain the chemical balance of the swimming pool, hot tub, spa or water pond, the solution comprising: water, deionized water, or filtered water in the weight percent range of from 92.0% to 99.0%; propylene glycol is present in a maxmimum of 2.0%; methyl paraben is present in a maximum of 0.15%; poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; cetyl alcohol is present in a range of from 1.0% to 8.0%; sorbitan monopalmitate is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; an antifoaming agent is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; and propyl paraben is present in a maximum of from 0.05%. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) A solution in accordance with claim 27 for forming a monomolecular layer of biodegradable film over the surface of a swimming pool, hot tub, spa or other water pond to prevent evaporation, retain heat, and maintain the chemical balance of the swimming pool, hot tub, spa or water pond, the solution comprising the following constituents and their percentages: deionized water 93.1%; propylene glycol 2.0%; methyl paraben 0.15%, poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate 0.2%; cetyl alcohol 4.0%; sorbitan monopalmitate 0.20%; poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) 58 0.20%; silicone antifoaming agent 0.10%; and propyl paraben 0.05%. ### Claim 29 A method of forming a film or monomolecular, non-toxic, biodegradable surface layer film for swimming pools, spas, hot tubs or water ponds in order to prevent evaporation, limit heat loss, and maintain chemical balance comprising: forming a dispensing container having a volume of between 0.1 and less than 24 cubic inches, said dispensing container being resistant to attack by water and chemical, said dispensing container perforated by a plurality of small holes, each of less than three square mm in cross section and greater than 5,000ths of an inch in diameter, and with an aggregate area of said holes less than 0.2% of the surface area of said dispensing container, said dispensing container being spherical in shape and having neutral buoyancy dependant upon water velocity flow so as to cause said dispensing container to move about freely and roll on the surface of the water, said dispensing container having a chamber of sufficient size to contain a solution for forming said monomolecular, biodegradable surface layer film; forming a solution of deionized water, propylene glycol, methyl paraben, poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, cetyl alcohol, sorbitan monopalmitate, poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether, antifoaming agent, and propyl paraben, and introducing said solution into said dispensing container and sealing same; puncturing said plurality of small holes in said dispensing container; positioning said dispensing container in said swimming pool, hot tub, spa, or water pond so as to move freely under the influence of said water velocity and to dispense said solution, forming said film or monomolecular, biodegradable surface layer film on said surface of said swimming pool, hot tub, spa or water pond so as to prevent evaporation, heat loss and to maintain chemical balance. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The method of forming a film or monomolecular, non-toxic, biodegradable surface layer film for swimming pools, spas, hot tubs or water ponds in accordance with claim 29 comprising a solution of water, deionized water, or filtered water in the weight percent range of from 92.0% to 99.0%; propylene glycol is present in a maxmimum of 2.0%; methyl paraben is present in a maximum of 0.15%; poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; cetyl alcohol is present in a range of from 1.0% to 8.0%; sorbitan monopalmitate is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; antifoaming agent is present in a range of from 0.10% to 4.0%; and propyl paraben is present in a maximum of from 0.05%. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The method of forming a film or monomolecular, non-toxic, biodegradable surface layer film for swimming pools, spas, hot tubs or water ponds in accordance with claim 30 comprising a solution of constituents in the following weight percentages: deionized water 93.1%; propylene glycol 2.0%; methyl paraben 0.15%, poly-oxy-ethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate 0.2%; cetyl alcohol 4.0%; sorbitan monopalmitate 0.20%; poly-oxy-ethylene (20 cetyl ether) 58 0.20%; an antifoaming agent 0.10%; and propyl paraben 0.05%.