Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Deodorants
Reexamination Certificate
1994-10-13
2002-09-24
Page, Thurman K. (Department: 1615)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Deodorants
C424S076400, C424S076500, C424S076600, C424S076700, C424S401000, C424S422000, C424S430000, C424S432000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06455034
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to methods, compositions and articles of manufacture useful for inhibiting the development of undesirable body odors. In particular, it relates to a method for inhibiting the development of odor in excreted body fluids by precipitating odor-causing cations in body fluids, thereby effectively causing deodorization. Although the method of the invention effectively inhibits or suppresses the development of malodors in all kinds of excreted body fluids, it is especially effective in menstrual fluid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
The problem of the development of undesirable body odor arising from excreted body fluids such as urine, perspiration and menstrual fluid is well known. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,273,786, and 4,356,190, Kraskin teaches using aminopolycarboxylic acid compounds such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and the salts thereof to inhibit the formation of odoriferous fatty acids. Kraskin hypothesized that the amino compounds act by removing the necessary metallic co-factor ions for the enzymatic production of the fatty acids.
However, the method taught by Kraskin has several drawbacks. First, it has been found that although EDTA and the like effectively deodorize urine, such compounds are much less effective in deodorizing other body fluids, such as menstrual fluid. Menstrual fluid generally has three odorants: amines, fatty acids (i.e., isobutyric acid), and sulfides. As menstrual fluid ages, its pH remains constant. However as urine ages, its pH increases (i.e., it becomes more basic). The aminopolycarboxylic acid compounds taught by Kraskin effectively attack odor produced by urine because increasing pH increases their effectiveness. However, for this same reason, EDTA and the other agents taught by Kraskin do not work as well on malodors which develop in menstrual fluid and perspiration. Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop a method for inhibiting the development of odors in excreted body fluids which is independent of the pH of the body fluid. Menstrual fluid contains additional ions, such as iron cations, which selectively and preferentially chelate with compounds such as EDTA, thereby reducing their effectiveness as deodorants. Thus, it also would be desirable to develop a method to inhibit the development of odor in excreted body fluid which avoids the deleterious effect of the extraneous ions found in some body fluids.
The present invention provides a method which effectively inhibits the development of odor in urine, perspiration, and menstrual fluid, wherein the effectiveness of the method is independent of the pH of the body fluid. The novel method of the present invention is also generally not affected by the presence of additional ions, such as iron. These characteristics are especially valuable for inhibiting the development of odor in menstrual fluids. In addition, the method may be easily employed using a variety of means, and applied to variety of receptacle devices adapted to receive excreted body fluids. Furthermore, the method of the invention effectively inhibits the development of malodors in body fluids in a safe and inexpensive manner, and without adverse effects on human subjects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The method of this invention relates to a product incorporating means for inhibiting the development of odor in absorbed excreted body fluids. According to the method of this invention, absorbed body fluids are contacted with a salt, the salt having an anion capable of forming a complex with the metallic co-factor ions in the body fluids that is substantially-insoluble in the body fluid, and the salt being present in an amount effective to provide sufficient anion to complex substantially all of the cation.
The method of this invention also relates to inhibiting the development of odor in excreted body fluids, wherein the method comprises contacting the body fluids with a salt, the salt having can anion capable of forming a precipitate with metallic co-factor ions in the body fluids, and e anion being present in an amount effective to prevent the formation of odor, by precipitating a substantial portion of the cations.
More particularly, according to the method of this invention, the formation of odor in excreted body fluids is inhibited by contacting the body fluids with a salt having a precipitating agent for calcium and/or magnesium cations, where the precipitating agent has a solubility product constant with calcium and/or magnesium cations of less than about 1×10
−7
, and where the salt is present in an amount effective to provide sufficient precipitating agent to precipitate a substantial portion of the calcium and magnesium cations.
The method of this invention effectively suppresses the development of odor in excreted body fluids, and thus, in effect, deodorizes the body fluids. The method is especially effective in removing calcium and magnesium cations from excreted body fluids, which are thought to be two odor-causing cations present in body fluids.
Sufficient amount of the salt is present in the product to provide sufficient anion to complex with substantially all of the metallic co-factor ions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The method of the present invention comprises contacting body fluids with a salt having an anion capable of forming a substantially-insoluble complex with the odor-causing cations found in excreted body fluids. Odor-causing cations specifically include, but are not limited to, calcium and magnesium cations or a mixture thereof.
According to the method of this invention, the development of odors is inhibited by using the solubility product constant, Ksp, of a metal ionic complex comprised of the anion from the salt and cations from the body fluid. When the solubility product of the concentration of the cations and the anion exceeds the solubility product constant, a metal ionic complex forms that is substantially-insoluble in the body fluid. The method of the invention uses a salt having an anion capable of forming a substantially-insoluble metal ionic complex with odor-causing cations, in an amount effective to provide sufficient anion to complex substantially all of the cations, so that essentially all of the metal ionic complex precipitates. This precipitation effectively removes the odor-causing cations from the body fluid and substantially prevents them from reacting further.
If two solutions, each containing one of the ions of a slightly soluble metal ionic complex, are mixed together, no precipitation takes place unless the solubility product of the ion concentrations in the mixture is greater than the solubility product constant. Thus, it is desirable to utilize a salt comprising an anion where the solubility product constant of the anion and the cation is smaller than a predetermined critical value, so that the anion and cation will form a substantially insoluble complex that readily precipitates. Thus, it is preferable to utilize a metal ionic complex which has a relatively small solubility product constant because such a complex will readily precipitate and will be essentially insoluble in solution.
The solubility product constant, Ksp, is defined herein to mean, in any solution in equilibrium with a slightly soluble ionic compound, the product of the concentrations of the ions, each raised to a power equal to its coefficient in the net ionic equation for the solution process. These concentrations usually are expressed as moles of solute per liter of solution. The solubility product constant is dependent upon temperature and, thus, is usually reported at a specific temperature.
For example, the solubility product constant for calcium fluoride (CaF
2
) is 3.95×10
(−11)
at 26° C.
CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
, 63rd Edition, (1982-83), at B-242. The equation for this solubility product constant is as follows:
[Ca++]×[F−]
2
=3.95×10
(−11)
When the concentration of either ion in solution causes the calculation to exceed the solubilit
Barr James P.
Mc-Neil-PPC, Inc.
Page Thurman K.
Sheikh H.
LandOfFree
Method for inhibiting the development of body odors does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for inhibiting the development of body odors, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for inhibiting the development of body odors will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2856901