When the product development
program was detailed to several likely
marketers, it was rejected. The basis: if
any bacteria or fungi escaped being killed
by the processing program, the marketer
could face thousands of lawsuits based
on distributing an unsafe food product.
Alternatives such as sterilizing by atomic
radiation were considered but also rejected.
Eventually, some aerosol pancake batter
products were launched—such as Batter
Blaster and Nate’s Homemade Pancake
& Waffle Batter—but they are no longer
available for purchase.
About 1975, at the suggestion of a
marketer, a major filler developed an aerosol
emulsion to ignite beds of charcoal
briquettes in outdoor grills. The formula consisted of about 86% odorless mineral spirits (OMS),
4% water, 2% surfactants, 1% minor ingredients and 7% propane. The foam could be spiraled
onto the charcoal and lit by touching a match to it. The
foam could then “melt” into the charcoal, igniting it.
After a small test market, the marketer approved the
product, but with the proviso that the foam was to be colored
yellow. Wisely, the filler obtained a Hold Harmless
Agreement (a legal agreement that states that one party
will not hold another party liable for risk—often physical
risk or damage), then added an FD&C Yellow colorant
to the formula.
The product looked normal for about six weeks, when
commercial production began. However, after several
months, the colorant dissolved enough divalent and
tetravalent tin from the lead-free side seam that the emulsion
collapsed, freeing the OMS/propane as a separate
top layer. Some unusual consumer experiences followed.
No one was harmed but the remaining product was
withdrawn. In later years, a gel type charcoal lighter was
developed, but did not do well.
They work, but…
Some aerosols
were perfectly developed for their intended purpose but
failed to meet marketing requirements. About 1980, an
east coast aerosol laboratory developed a “Permanent
Starch Spray.” It was based on about 2.5% of a colorless,
water-resistant copolymer, dispersed in a suitable emulsion
system. While not exactly “permanent,” it was said
to survive from about 5–8 shirt washings, depending on
A well-known South American formulator created a phosphorescent
32 Spray March 2020
“Calglow” product, similar to the appearance of
fireflies. Two fluids had to be mixed in the aerosol valve. A
newspaper sprayed with the product could then be read in
a completely dark room. It did not succeed. In the U.S., however,
two similar, albeit very niche, products are available
in the form of Glow Spray from Photonix and Rust-Oleum
Glow in the Dark spray paint.