Urushiol Removal Systems for Diverse Industries

Publication ID: 24-11857666_0007_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Urushiol Removal Systems for Diverse Industries,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857666_0007_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857666_0007_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,666.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

This inventive concept leverages the core technology of the original patent to develop innovative solutions for removing urushiol from contaminated surfaces in various industries, including woodworking, veterinary clinics, greenhouses, and musical instrument manufacturing.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent addressed the issue of urushiol-induced contact dermatitis in humans, but its applications were limited to personal care. This new inventive concept tackles the broader problem of urushiol contamination in industrial and commercial settings, where existing cleaning methods are often ineffective or inadequate.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept comprises a non-buffered detergent composition featuring a first solely C12 surfactant and a second solely C12 surfactant, which is applied to urushiol-contaminated surfaces in various industries. The composition's unique properties enable effective removal of urushiol, reducing the risk of skin irritation and allergic reactions. The new claims outline specific applications, including systems for treating industrial equipment, methods for cleaning urushiol-contaminated tools, compositions for removing urushiol from musical instruments, processes for decontaminating veterinary clinic surfaces, and kits for treating urushiol-contaminated greenhouse surfaces.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The inventive concept's novelty lies in its adaptation of the original patent's core technology to entirely new industries and use cases, demonstrating an inventive step beyond the original patent's scope. The new claims' specific combinations of surfactants and solvents, as well as their application to diverse industrial contexts, constitute a non-obvious and innovative solution to the problem of urushiol contamination.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments could include variations in surfactant concentrations, solvent selection, or application methods tailored to specific industries. For instance, a woodworking shop might require a more concentrated detergent composition, while a veterinary clinic might benefit from a gentler, more pH-balanced solution.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential across various industries, including woodworking, veterinary care, greenhouse operations, and musical instrument manufacturing. By providing effective urushiol removal solutions, this technology can improve workplace safety, reduce downtime, and enhance overall efficiency in these industries.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61K8/8147
A A61 A61K8/342
A A61 A61K8/345
A A61 A61K8/42
A A61 A61K8/44
A A61 A61K8/60
A A61 A61K8/86
A A61 A61K8/894
A A61 A61Q19/10
A A61 A61K2800/30
A A61 A61K2800/41
A A61 A61K2800/596

Field of Art

Chemical engineering and surface treatment technologies, specifically focused on detergent compositions for removing organic contaminants, with expertise in surfactant chemistry, industrial cleaning solutions, and contact dermatitis prevention

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A chemical engineer or formulation specialist with advanced degree, working knowledge of surfactant interactions, experience in developing cleaning compositions, and understanding of industrial surface treatment techniques

Obviousness Rationale

A person having ordinary skill would recognize that the source patent's urushiol cleaning composition provides a foundational technology that can be readily adapted to different industrial contexts. The core surfactant technology demonstrates versatility in removing organic contaminants, making its extension to diverse surface cleaning scenarios a predictable engineering solution. The PTD's variations represent straightforward application of known chemical principles to solve similar contamination challenges across different industrial environments.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Non-buffered detergent composition with C12 surfactants for urushiol removal
PTD Variation
Applying the same surfactant composition to industrial equipment cleaning in woodworking and veterinary settings
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable extension of known cleaning technology to analogous contamination removal scenarios with similar surface chemistry requirements
Source Patent Element
Solvent compatibility for urushiol (ethanol, diethyl ether, benzene)
PTD Variation
Incorporating these solvents into compositions for musical instrument and greenhouse surface cleaning
Obviousness Reasoning
Known solvents with established effectiveness, representing a routine design choice for adapting cleaning solutions to specific surface requirements
Source Patent Element
Non-buffered detergent with specific surfactant combinations
PTD Variation
Developing industry-specific cleaning kits with tailored surfactant concentrations
Obviousness Reasoning
Routine formulation optimization using known surfactant interactions and concentration adjustment techniques
Source Patent Element
Method of applying detergent composition to remove urushiol
PTD Variation
Systematic application processes for different contaminated surfaces in veterinary, woodworking, and greenhouse environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Obvious adaptation of established cleaning methodology to different contextual requirements using standard chemical engineering principles
Source Patent Element
Composition containing water and specific surfactant ratios
PTD Variation
Creating specialized cleaning systems with adjusted water content and surfactant proportions for specific industrial needs
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable engineering modification representing standard formulation development techniques within surfactant chemistry
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. ยง 103, the variations disclosed in this Published Technical Disclosure would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention, as they represent straightforward adaptations of the foundational cleaning composition disclosed in US Patent 11857666, employing known chemical engineering techniques to extend the original invention's utility across diverse industrial contexts.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,666
TitleDetergent compositions for washing urushiol and methods of treating urushiol induced contact dermatitis
Assignee(s)The William M. Yarbrough Foundation