Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – With oxygen – halogen – sulfur – or nitrogen containing or...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-31
2004-07-13
Mruk, Brian P. (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
With oxygen, halogen, sulfur, or nitrogen containing or...
C510S289000, C510S506000, C510S518000, C510S524000, C510S535000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06762157
ABSTRACT:
RELATED APPLICATION(S)
Not applicable.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to aqueous compositions for reduction of objectionable odors from surfaces, comprising water, an odor absorber or odor in counteractant, perfume, solvent, solubilizer, and drying aid. The composition is designed to reduce the presence of objectionable odors, such as food odors, tobacco odors, perspiration, etc., on surfaces such as clothing or fabric such as on furniture. The compositions of the present invention are fast drying, and leave little or no residue on the surface after drying. While specifically designed for use with soft surfaces, such as fabrics, the compositions of the present invention may also be used on hard surfaces, such as garbage and refuse containers and recycling bins, or on such surfaces as appliances, counters, floors, cabinets, walls, and plumbing fixtures in kitchens and bath rooms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an aqueous composition suitable for use as a freshening composition. Such a composition may be sprayed onto fabrics, particularly clothing, to restore the freshness thereof by elimination or reduction of malodors, between washings or dry cleanings. The composition may also be sprayed upon fabric covered furniture, or other surfaces, to eliminate malodors, such as pet odors, or tobacco odor, without deposition of a residue upon the surface.
A wide variety of deodorizing compositions are known, most commonly containing a perfume to mask or hide the malodor. Odor masking is the intentional concealment of one odor by over-powering it with another, preferably more acceptable odor, such as a fragrance. The masking perfumes used vary greatly, dependent upon application, such as masking perspiration odor, bathroom odor, pet odors, tobacco, etc. The appropriate fragrance for a given composition needs to be selected in accordance with the end product usage, as well as the goal to give the impression of freshness.
Odor modification, i.e. changing the odor by chemical modification, has also been used. Such techniques include oxidative degradation, which uses oxidizing agents such as oxygen bleaches, chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, or similar materials. In addition, reductive degradation has been attempted, using reducing agents such as sodium bisulfite to reduce malodor. However, both of these techniques are unacceptable due to damage they cause to fabrics, especially colored fabrics.
Other odor control methods employ actives which react with malodors having specific functional groups, such as biguanide polymers, which complex with organically bound nitrogen and/or sulfur atoms, or fatty alcohol esters of methyl methacrylic acid, which react with thiols, amine, and aldehydes. Such reactive materials, however, are generally not water soluble.
In addition, antibacterial and antifungal agents which regulate the odor producing microorganisms found on surfaces, have been employed, but are ineffective on malodors not caused by bacterial sources.
The present invention is most specifically directed at environmental odors, such as tobacco odor, cooking and food odors, and body odor. These odors are generally organic in nature, and frequently result from low molecular weight, straight-chain, branched, and unsaturated C
6
-C
11
fatty acids.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,475, of Trinh et al is one of a number of patents related to the concept of reducing “malodor impression” from surfaces. Other relevant Trinh et al patents include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,578,563; 5,633,134; 5,783,544; 5,968,404; 5,939,060; and 6,077,318. U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,475 teaches aqueous deodorizing compositions comprising up to about 1% perfume, and preferably including water-soluble cyclodextrins, water-soluble metal salts, and solubilizing aids. Cyclodextrins function in a manner similar to molecular sieves, which are also employed to entrap perfumes, odors, etc., and which may also be employed for removal of malodor from surfaces. Exemplary metal salts include zinc salts such as zinc sulfate, and exemplary solubilizers include ethoxylated aliphatic alcohols. In the preferred embodiments of the patent, the perfumes used in the compositions are those having a C log P of less than 3, it being indicated that such perfumes may be solubilized in water without the use of a solubilizing alcohol, whereas those perfumes with a C log P value greater than about 3 are less useful due to greater hydrophobicity. The patentee indicates that the composition contains less than about 5% low molecular weight monohydric alcohol. Cyclodextrin molecules are known to form complexes with perfume ingredients, and have been used as perfume carriers in the past. Trinh et al teach that fabrics treated with cyclodextrin exhibit perfume release upon rewetting, resulting in an impression of freshness of the fabric when said fabric is rewetted.
However, the prior art compositions are subject to slow rates of drying, and deposition of residues on the substrates treated. It is also to be noted that the Trinh et al reference specifically suggests that the perfumes used be those having a C log P value of 3 or less, to require the use of predominant proportions of those perfumes which are most hydrophilic or water soluble. This limitation prevents the utilization of a large number of popular and effective scents useful for the purpose of reducing malodor impression.
However, it is also to be noted that the presence of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, such as alcohols, is not desirable, even though they are very effective solubilizers for perfumes, and impart rapid dry time to a surface treatment system. Such solvents are often odor objectionable in themselves, as well as being environmentally undesirable. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water-based deodorizing composition for treatment of surfaces, said composition preferably not containing objectionable VOCs, while still permitting the use of hydrophobic fragrances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention is directed to a water-based deodorizing composition for the treatment of surfaces, the composition having a good dry time without use of volatile ingredients such as alcohols, and leaving little or no residue on the surface treated. The invention also relates to methods for using this composition for deodorizing surfaces such as fabrics and clothing.
In yet another form, the invention provides a low residue treatment for the removal of odors on surfaces, using a composition containing fragrances with a C log P value greater than about 3. The composition of the present invention further removes odors without damage to surfaces, and has an acceptable dry time without the addition of VOCs.
The compositions of this invention may be applied to any surface which would not be damaged, objectionably spotted, or otherwise compromised by the application of an aqueous spray, if that surface is subject to malodor retention. For example, one would not spray a rice paper screen with an aqueous composition of the present invention, but one may use said composition on the surface of a cloth or wooden screen, or a leather or fabric car seat. The present compositions are not intended as cleansing agents, such as may be used to clean a hard surface such as a glass table, mirror, kitchen counter, toilet, or trash receptacle, but such compositions may be sprayed upon such surfaces if they have become odorous. In such cases, the surface should first be cleaned in a conventional manner, and then the composition should be sprayed upon the cleaned surface and allowed to dry without wiping, to minimize streaking or clouding of the surface, particularly of shiny surfaces, while providing maximum deodorizing effect. As indicated, the compositions of this invention are primarily intended for use on soft surfaces, such as clothing, shoes, carpeting, upholstery, curtains, draperies, linens, etc., but are not limited to such surfaces. These compositions, by virtue of the fact that they leave li
Babinski Linda J.
Kristopeit Karen K.
Randall Francis J.
Elhilo Eisa
Mruk Brian P.
S. C. Johnson & Son Inc.
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