Abstract Potable (drinking) water systems of recreational vehicles, boats, vacation homes, and the like, need to be protected against freezing during periods of non-use during the cold winter season. Typical propylene glycol antifreeze additives are effective but expensive. It has been found that use of an inhibitor solution based on food-grade corn syrup effectively boosts the effectiveness of propylene glycol so that as little as 19% plus or minus 0.25% by liquid volume is optimally used together with about 10% of a food-grade corn syrup in an anti-freeze solution for -50% protection. This is a more economical and effective system than previously known in commercialized systems heretofore maintained as trade secrets by the inventors and the assignee.
Inventors
👤 Robert W. Preusch
👤 Thomas F. O'Farrell
👤 Ollie O'Neal, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-30 11:20
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K5/00; C09K5/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A liquid solution, for use in potable water systems, which substantially withstands freezing and damaging expansion to temperatures of 50° Fahrenheit below zero (minus 45° C.), comprising 14.12% by liquid volume of an inhibitor solution comprising about 70.941% food-grade corn syrup, 29.047% water, 0.007% food-grade coloring dye, and 0.005% preservative; 19.00% plus or minus 0.25% food-grade propylene glycol; and the balance water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
A liquid solution, for use in potable water systems, which substantially withstands freezing and damaging expansion to temperatures of 50° Fahrenheit below zero (minus 45° C.), comprising 14.12% by liquid volume of an inhibitor solution comprising about 70.941% food-grade corn syrup, 29.047% water, 0.007% food-grade coloring dye, and 0.005% preservative; 19.00% plus or minus 0.25% food-grade propylene glycol; and the balance water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A liquid solution, for use in potable water systems, which substantially withstands freezing and damaging expansion to temperatures of 60° Fahrenheit below zero (minus 51° C.), comprising 12.35% by liquid volume of an inhibitor solution comprising about 70.941% food-grade corn syrup, 29.047% water, 0.007% food-grade coloring dye, and 0.005% formaldehyde as a preservative; 29.125% plus or minus 0.25% food-grade propylene glycol; and the balance water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A liquid solution, for use in potable water systems, which substantially withstands freezing and damaging expansion to temperatures of 60° Fahrenheit below zero (minus 51° C.), comprising 12.35% by liquid volume of an inhibitor solution comprising about 70.941% food-grade corn syrup, 29.047% water, 0.007% food-grade coloring dye, and 0.005% formaldehyde as a preservative; 29.125% plus or minus 0.25% food-grade propylene glycol; and the balance water.