Odor absorption and deodorization

Details Odor absorption and deodorization Odor absorption and deodorization

2001-04-18

2003-03-04

Page, Thurman K. (Department: 1615)

Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions

Deodorants

C424S065000, C424S067000, C424S401000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06528047

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an odor absorbing concentrate, and more particularly to a water-soluble odor controlling concentrate that is based-upon zinc ricinoleate and at least one alkoxylated amine. When the water-soluble odor controlling concentrate of the present invention is solubilized by an appropriate solvent, the diluted form of the inventive concentrate exhibits enhanced odor absorbing and deodorizing capabilities because of the presence of a greater number of activated zinc atoms than prior art zinc ricinoleate-containing formulations. Because of the enhanced odor absorbing and deodorizing capabilities, the inventive concentrate and dilutable formulation can be employed in a wide variety of applications including, but not limited to: in carpet cleaners, bathroom cleaners, pet order removers, cat liter deodorizers, car refresheners, floor cleaners, spray deodorizers, food processing plant cleaners and in other like home care applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is widely known that malodors (i.e., undesirable odors) can be controlled and in some instances eliminated by utilizing a deodorizing method such as a masking process, an absorption process, an ozone deodorizing process, or a catalytic process which uses a catalytic material such as a metal oxide or enzyme.
Masking processes control malodors by vaporizing and dispersing an aromatic liquid or solid such as a perfume into the ambient containing the malodor. Thus, masking processes modify the malodor to a more pleasant character by superimposing a dominant, but more pleasant odorant into the ambient. One problem with conventional aromatic liquids and solids is that such compounds tend to evaporate over an extended period of time which may result in the return of the malodor.
Absorption processes control malodors by employing an absorbent such as activated carbon or the like which absorbs odor components from the ambient. Thus, in this process, the level of intensity of the malodor is constantly being reduced from the ambient thereby refreshing the ambient.
The ozone deodorizing process serves to decompose odor components with ozone and in catalytic processes the odor components are modified in some fashion by the catalyst being used. In typical catalytic processes, enzymes are employed as the deodorizers.
In many home care applications, malodor control and/or elimination is achieved mainly by using either a masking process or an absorption process since ozone and catalytic processes are generally not feasible.
Some commonly employed odor absorbents employed in home care applications are formulations that are based on bleach oxidizing agents, peroxides, bactericides which kill microorganisms, cyclodextrins, and/or zinc ricinoleate.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,593,670; 5,668,097; 5,714,137; 5,783,544; 5,939,060; and 5,942,217 disclose odor-absorbing formulations that are based on uncomplexed cyclodextrins. The uncomplexed cyclodextrins employed in these references have a unique shape and the physical-chemical property of the cavity enables the cyclodextrin to absorb organic molecules or parts of the organic molecule which can fit into the cavity.
Zinc ricinoleate is a waxy solid that is substantially insoluble in water. Despite the water insoluble nature of zinc ricinoleate, this compound tends to form strong bonds with malodor molecules containing nitrogen and sulfur atoms. In order for zinc ricinoleate to form bonds with malodor molecules, the zinc atoms need to be activated so as to expose their available reaction sites. Activation of zinc ricinoleate, and hence activation of the zinc atoms, is typically carried out by solubilizing the compound in water. Once in solution, the reaction sites on the zinc atoms are available to form bonds with nitrogen and sulfur atoms thereby binding the malodor and removing it from the ambient. Formulations based on zinc ricinoleate differ from formulations based on cyclodextrins, since zinc ricinoleate-containing formulations remove malodor molecules by a binding mechanism, whereas cyclodextrin-containing formulations remove malodor molecules via entrapment.
Solubilization of zinc ricinoleate in water is not however an easy task. Instead, special surfactants and solvents like amine oxides, betaine, triethylene glycol, sulfosuccinates and other like materials are typically employed to carry out the solubilization. Even when solubilization of zinc ricinoleate is successful, the resultant solubilized solution will contain only about 10% active material, i.e., activated zinc atoms. That is, a diluted solution, i.e., solubilized solution, containing 10% activated zinc ricinoleate and 90% surfactant or solvent is obtained.
Although formulations based on prior are zinc ricinoleate concentrates may be used in many home care applications, much of the zinc atoms present in prior art formulations are not activated therefore they will not form bonds with the nitrogen and sulfur atoms present in malodor molecules. Hence, much of the absorbing/deodorizing capability of prior art zinc ricinoleate formulations is not realized. Therefore, formulated products based on prior art solubilized zinc ricinoleate concentrates function well below their potential absorbing/deodorizing capability.
In view of the above mentioned problem with conventional solubilized zinc ricinoleate concentrates, there is a continued need for providing a new and improved solubilized zinc ricinoleate concentrate that contains more activated zinc atoms than is the case with prior art solubilized zinc ricinoleate concentrates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a water-soluble home care concentrate that exhibits a high capability of absorbing malodors from an ambient so as to refresh that ambient. The inventive water-soluble home care concentrate is based on a zinc ricinoleate/alkoxylated amine blend which when solubilized by an appropriate solvent provides a diluted formulation that contains about 20%, by weight, or greater activated zinc atoms.
Specifically, the inventive water-soluble home care concentrate comprises a blend of zinc ricinoleate and at least one alkoxylated amine having the formula R(nAO)
s
NH
t
, wherein R is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl containing from 8 to 22, preferably 12 to 18, carbon atoms; AO is a C
2
-C
6
, preferably C
2
-C
4
, alkoxylate; n is the number of moles of AO and is from 1 to 50, preferably 2-10; s=1, 2 or 3; t=0, 1 or 2; and the sum of s and t is 3.
The water-soluble concentrate of the present invention can be used in a wide variety of home care applications in which malodor reduction and/or elimination is required. For example, the inventive water-soluble concentrate can be employed in carpet cleaners, bathroom cleaners, pet order removers, cat liter deodorizers, car refresheners, floor cleaners, spray deodorizers, food processing plant cleaners and in other like home care applications.
In addition to providing a water-soluble concentrate, the present invention also provides a diluted formulation that comprises from about 1 to about 50 weight % of the inventive water-soluble concentrate; and from about 50 to 99 weight % of at least one solvent. The diluted formulation of the present invention contains about 20%, by weight, or greater, preferably 30% or greater, activated zinc atoms therein. Home care formulations including the inventive dilutable formulation remove malodor molecules via a binding mechanism, rather than entrapment of the malodor molecules within a cavity.
The at least one solvent employed in this aspect of the present invention includes, but is not limited to: water; carboxylic acids such as citric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, propenoic acid, glycolic acid, acetic acid, lactate acid; salts of said carboxylic acids; and mixtures thereof. Preferred solvents are water, a mixture of water and citric acid, or a mixture of lactate acid and water. In the case of a solvent mixture of lactate acid and water, a 100% solubilized clear concentrate is provided.
Another aspect of the present in

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