Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Processes – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-22
2002-09-24
Douyon, Lorna M. (Department: 1751)
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Processes
Miscellaneous
C510S276000, C510S278000, C510S279000, C510S477000, C252S008910, C424S076400, C008S137500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06454876
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and product for mitigating or eliminating malodors, particularly those which result from contacting fabrics or other soft surfaces. The method provides for the contacting of the malodor(s) with an aqueous liquid deodorizing composition, the composition containing about 0.1-3% water soluble/dispersible polymer, about 0.01-5% fragrance, 1-25% water soluble/dispersible volatile solvent, with the remainder, water and various aesthetic and functional additives.
2. Brief Statement of the Related Art
Keyes et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,842, discloses a hard surface cleaner containing surfactants, optional fragrance, solvent and polyacrylic acid as a cleaning adjunct. However, Keyes did not teach, disclose, or suggest the use of a water soluble/dispersible polymer in conjunction with a fragrance as an effective malodor counteractant, which results from contacting said malodor and forming at least a partial film thereon. Indeed, Keyes would actually teach away from this concept since it discloses a hard surface cleaner, with which the user would wipe away the dose of cleaner and the stain to leave a substantially barren surface.
Staller, U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,721, discloses a method of fragrancing a container headspace with an aqueous emulsion comprising 4-70% water-emulsifiable or water-soluble polymer, 5-80% scented oil and from about 6-80% water. The aqueous emulsion is cast onto a discrete location in the container and the water volatilizes to leave behind a cast solid impregnated with scented oil. The high solids content of these sorts of emulsions are necessary to effectively deodorize the carton headspace of malodorous oxidants, such as diperoxydodecanedioic acid (“DPDDA”). It is further clear that Staller's emulsion cannot be dosed from a dispenser or other convenient metering device. It is fuirther evident that this type of fragrance metering means is meant not to come in direct contact with the malodor or malodor-causing material, but, instead is located away therefrom.
There are presently some liquid household malodor counteractants, such as aerosols and spray-dispensed liquid compositions. For example, Bertrand et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,416, teaches the combination of 88-99% water, 0.1-5% fragrance oil, 0.1-5% surfactant, along with 0.1-2% preservative. Bertrand advises that it contains virtually no or little isopropyl or ethyl alcohol or other solubilizing alcohols, and opines that this results in formulations which are more ecologically and fire safe. Bertrand's formulations are dosed via a pump sprayer, which atomizes the liquid air freshener. However, neither Bertrand nor other liquid malodor counteractants appear to disclose, teach or suggest that combining a water soluble or dispersible polymer to a fragrance and water formulations would improve the efficacy of the fragrance in mitigating or eliminating malodors which are directly contacted by said formulations.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a method and product for eliminating or mitigating malodor(s) by directly contacting the same with an aqueous liquid deodorizing composition, the composition containing about 0.1-3% water soluble/dispersible polymer, about 0.01-5% fragrance, 1-25% water soluble/dispersible volatile solvent, with the remainder, water. In alternative embodiments, various aesthetic and fimctional additives may be added in low levels, such as surfactants/emulsifiers, fragrances, and preservatives.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a method for the counteracting of malodors by contacting them with an aqueous liquid deodorizing composition
It is another object of this invention to provide a convenient product for mitigating or eliminating malodors, particularly those deposited on soft surfaces such as fabrics and other absorbent/adsorbent materials.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a trigger sprayer, pump sprayer, aerosol or other consumer-friendly means for delivering the malodor counteractant of this invention.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a long lasting means for malodor control, especially when compared to what is presently commercially available.
It is an additional object of this invention to provide a liquid malodor counteractant which dries rapidly after being sprayed or dosed onto a surface containing a malodor thereon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a method and product for eliminating or mitigating malodor(s) by directly contacting the same with an aqueous liquid deodorizing composition, the composition containing about 0.1-3% water soluble/dispersible polymer, about 0.01-5% fragrance, 1-20% water soluble/dispersible volatile solvent, with the remainder, water. In alternative embodiments, various aesthetic and functional additives may be added in low levels, such as surfactants/emulsifiers, fragrances, and preservatives.
The invention is especially useful for treatment of soft surfaces, such as without limitation, upholstery, draperies, carpets, clothing, rugs, tapestries, porous walls, vehicle compartments (e.g. automobile interiors, cabs, trunks, etc.), pet beds and bedding, clothing hampers and containers (e.g., gym bags and mesh laundry bags), and any other enclosed living, working, leisure and transportation spaces, and the like which are either absorbent or adsorbent, and thus are likely to retain malodors once contacted therewith. These malodors include, without limitation, smoke, food, pet, botanical, animal, other environmental and biological (such as body) malodors.
In the application, effective amounts are generally those amounts listed as the ranges or levels of ingredients in the descriptions which follow here to. Unless otherwise stated, amounts listed in percentage (“%'s”) are in weight percent of the composition, unless otherwise noted.
The ingredients constituting the novel liquid malodor eliminating or mitigating composition are described hereinbelow.
1. The Water Soluble/Dispersible Polymer(s)
The polymer is a key component of the invention. It is necessary to provide substantivity via a transparent to slightly visible residue or film which results after application of the inventive liquid composition to a surface.
The polymer is generally speaking a water soluble to dispersible polymer having a molecular weight of generally below 2,000,000 daltons. The polymers will also be not damaging to fabrics, carpets, and other soft surfaces. They should have enough tack or stickiness, when applied and dried, to provide a matrix in which the malodor may be entrapped, but not so much that to the human touch the film or residue feels or imparts an obvious sticky feel. Preferably, the polymer will also not itself have an obvious or offensive odor, although that attribute can be mitigated by judicious selection of fragrance.
Examples of suitable classes of polymers include:
a. Polysaccharides
Suitable polymers may comprise polysaccharide polymers, which include substituted cellulose materials like carboxymethylcellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, succinoglycan and naturally occurring polysaccharide polymers like xanthan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, tragacanth gum or derivatives thereof. Particularly useful polysaccharides are xanthan gum and derivatives thereof. Some of these are thickeners which may have too much tack, from a performance and aesthetic standpoint. Additional suitable polysaccharide polymers may include sodium caseinate and gelatin. Other suitable polysaccharide polymers may include cationic derivatives, such as the cationic cellulose ether, Polymer JR.
b. Polycarboxylates
Polycarboxylates can also be used which contain amounts of nonionizable monomers, such as ethylene and other simple olefins, styrene, alpha-methylstyrene, methyl, ethyl and C
3
to C
8
alkyl acrylates and methacrylates, isobornyl methacrylate, acrylamide, hydroxyethyl acrylate and methacrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate an
Adair Martha J.
Ali Sheila E.
Buskirk Gregory Van
Finn Leslie E.
Ochomogo Maria G.
Douyon Lorna M.
Hayashida Joel J.
Mruk Brian P.
The Clorox Company
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