Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PAIENT
J-4425A
ODOR ELIMINATION AND AIR SANITIZING COMPOSITION
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a non-pr-ovisional U.S. application which is based
on and
claims priority from provisional Application Serial No 60/817,214, filed on
June 28,
2006.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field:
[0002] An improved deodorizing composition is disclosed which effectively
removes
airborne and surface malodois commonly found in a household.. The impr=oved
composition includes triethylene glycol diglycidyl ether and/or trieth,ylene
glycol
monoglycidyl ether as a malodor counteractant.
Description of the Related Art:
[0003] Airborne and surface malodors, when per=ceived by a person, generally
results
in detr imental effects to the mental and/or- physical wellbeing of' that per
son, particularly
when the malodor exists in a household or a business setting where air
circulation is
insufficient to vent the malodor to an outdoor= envir=onment.. Common sources
of' airbozne
malodors include tobacco smoke, mold and mildew, cooking and/or food odors,
pet
odors, body odor, etc.
[0004] Gener ally, malodor is the collective olfactory perception of' one or
more
malodorants, which are mainly otganic molecules having different structures
and
functional groups including, but not limited to, amines, acids, alcohols,
aldehydes,
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ketones, phenols, polycyclics, indoles, aromatics, pol=yaromatics, etc.. One
particulai
class of'str=ong malodorants is sulfur-containing compounds, such as
mercaptans, sulfides
and/oI disuifrdes, In addition to organic molecules, the malodorant can also
take
inor=ganic oi even elemental forms, such as hydr-ogen sulfide and chlorine
[0005] Methods and composition for suppr=essing, eliminating, or counteracting
air=borne malodors are well known in the ar=t. While a numbei= of'ph=ysical
odor=
elimination methods, such as by using an air ionizer, has been developed, the
most
popular and effective odor= elimination method is by contacting the
malodor=ant(s) by a
deodorizing composition comprising one or more malodor counteractant.,
[0006] A wide vaziety of deodorizing compositions are known in the art, the
most
common of' which contain perfumes to mask malodors.. Odor masking is the
intentional
concealment of' one odor by the addition of' another , The masking of' odoi s
is typically
accomplished by using peifumes or fragrances However, large quantities of
fragrance
are needed to ensure that the malodors are no longer- noticeable, or are
suitably masked.
Further, these masking techniques do nothing to iemove or modify the source
of'the
malodors.
[0007] It has been known to use certain glycols in aer=osols or vapor= forrns
to sanitize
or= disinfect the air in a room by killing airborne bacteria that are often a
sour=ce of'odors.
One par=ticular= glycol, trieth=ylene glycol ("TEG"), has been found
particularly effective
for sanitizing air when delivered via an aerosol spia,y, The commercially
successful
OUST''O air sanitizer pr=oducts utilize a mixtur=e that contains about 6 wt%
TEG, A non-
aerosol application of' TEG for= disinfecting air is also known in the art IEG
has also
been used as an air= treatment for tobacco smoke,
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PATENT
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[0008] Irieth,ylene glycol has the following structure:
O OH
HO O
triethylene glycol
[0009] TEG is a colorless, odorless, non-volatile and hygr-oscopic liquid.. It
is
characterized by two hydr=oxyl groups along with two ether= linkages which
contribute to
its high water solubility, hygroscopicity and its ability to neutralize
airborne odor-causing
bacteria in the air.. IEG can be preparred commercially by the oxidation of
ethylene at
high temperatures in the presence of'a silver oxide catalyst, followed by
hydr=ation of'the
ethylene oxidate to yield mono-, di-, tri- and tetr=a-ethylene glycol
products.. TEG has a
low toxicity
[0010] However, TEG is most effective as a malodor countetactant for airborne
malodor-s caused by bacteria, TEG is typically not effective at removing
malodors caused
by other= sources, which could be effectively treated with a modification
reaction.. Of
course, the matexial used for such a modification r-eaction would need to be
safe for
human contact if'the material is to be used in air or- on surfaces commonly
found in a
household
[0011] Ihus, there is a need for- a deodorizing composition that includes a
malodor
counteiactant that can effectively treat a broader range of'malodors.
Mor=eovei=, there is a
need for a malodor counter-actant that chemically modifies a broad range
of'malodorants..
Finally, there is a need for a deodorizing composition that not only removes
malodorants
associated with odor-causing micr-oor=ganisms but also r=emoves a wide
spectrum of'other
malodorants commonly found in a household.
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SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0012] In satisfaction ofthe afore noted needs, a deodorizing composition is
disclosed
for, eliminating airborne and surface malodors commonly found in a household.
The
composition comprises one oT moze malodor- counteractants each with a
molecular-
stiuctuTe that includes one or- more glycidyl ether linkages.
[00131 In one embodiment, the malodor counteractant is a diglycidyl ether of'a
glycol.
In a refinement, the malodor counteractant is triethylene glycol (TEG)
diglycidyl ether
TEG diglycidyl ether has the following stTucture:
O
O
O O
O
triethylene glycol diglycidyl ether
[0014J In another embodiment, the malodor counter=actant is a monoglycidyl
ethei of'a
glycol In a refinement, the malodor counteractant is TEG monoglycidyl ether.
TEG
monoglycidyl etheF= has the following structure:
0
HO O
O
triethylene glycol monoglycidyl ether
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed composition comprises a
malodor
counteractant selected from the group consisting of'TEG monoglycidyl ether,
TEG
diglycidyl ether-, and a mixture of'both.
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[0016] In one embodiment, TEG diglycid,yl ether and/or TEG monoglycidyl ether
may
be present in an amount ranging fr=om 0 5 to about 6.0 wt%. Most prefera.bly,
the TEG
diglycidyl ether and/or TEG monoglycidyl ether comprises about 1 wt% of'the
formulation.
[0017] In addition to the glycidyl etheis, the disclosed composition may
optionally
include an additional malodor counteractant to improve the odor- removing
performance
thereof In a preferied embodiment, the additional malodor counteractant is a
glycol such
as TEG. In a refinement, TEG is piesent in the disclosed composition in an
amount of'
from about 0.5 to about 6.0 wt%.
[0018] Other additional malodor counteractants may also be used in the
disclosed
composition.. In a preferred embodiment, the additional malodor counter-actant
is be
selected from the group consisting of' IEG, dipr-opylene glycol, pr-opylene
glycol, and
triethanolamine (TEA), and mixtures ther-eof'.
[0019] The disclosed composition may take any physical form that is suitable
for
removing airbo2ne and/or surface malodors. In a preferred embodiment, the
disclosed
composition is an aqueous solution, emulsion or suspension containing the
malodor
counteractant.. The composition may also be in a form of' a solid composite or
even exists
in a vapor phase..
[0020] In a refinement, the disclosed composition is an aqueous composition
that
includes water as solvent. Pr=eferably, the aqueous composition further
includes an
or-ganic co-solvent to improve the solubilization of'the malodor-
countetactant and/or
other ingredients in the composition
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[0021] In a prefexred embodiment, the organic co-solvent is a low molecular
weight
monohydric alcohol. In a furthei refinement of'this concept, the alcohol is
selected from a
group consisting of'ethanol, isopropanol, butanol and propanol, The preferred
co-solvent
is ethanol due to its low cost and acceptable odor-..
[0022] The alcohol and watei- both act as solvents or carxiers and the alcohol
reduces
the diying time of'the disclosed liquid formulation. Preferabl,y, the alcohol
is a minor
component compar ed to that of' watei, with the water content ranging from
about 75-95
wt% and the alcohol content ranging fi-om about I to about 10 wt%, most
preferably
about 6 wt%
[0023] The disclosed composition may further include one or more surfactants
to assist
the solubilization of the ingredients included therein and/or to improve the
malodor
removal performance thereof:, The suzfactants may comprise one or more
nonionic
surfactants, a combination of'nonionic and ionic sutfactants, or mor-e
specifically, a
combination of' nonionic and cationic surfactants Amphoteric and zwitteiionic
surfactants may also be used.
[0024] The nonionic surfactant prefeiably comprises a combination of'an ether-
and a
hydrogenated oil. In a further refinement, the nonionic surfactants comprise a
combination of'polyglycol ether and a hydrogenated castor oil In still a
further
refinement, polyglycol ether is a polyoxyethylene alkylether
100251 In a preferred embodiment, the non-ionic surfactant may include (1) a
hydrogenated castor oil, that includes glycerol and polyethylene glycol
oxystearate, and
(2) a polyglycol ether that is an ethoxylation product of'Cl I to C15 linear
secondary
alkanols with ethylene oxide.
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[0026] The ionic surfactant suitable for- use in the disclosed composition may
comprise
a cationic surfactant, such as a quaternary ammonium salt. A benefit of using
a
quaternary ammonium salt is the anti-bacterial pr-operties of'the salt. Other
ionic
surfactants such as anionic surfactants may also be included in the
composition,
[0027] In addition to the ingredients discussed above, the disclosed
composition may
also include otheT adjuvants including, but not limited to: fragr-ances,
epoxide stabilizers,
pH adjusting agents, pr-eservatives, and the like
[0028] In one embodiment, the disclosed composition comprises water, a short
chain
monohydric alcohol, at least one of' TEG diglycidyl ether and TEG monoglycidyl
ether or
combinations thereof; at least one surfactant, and a fiagrance
[0029] In a pi=eferied embodiment, the fotmulation comprises fi-om about 4 to
about 8
wt% ethanol, from about 0.5 to about 15 wt% IEG diglycidyl ether and/or iEG
monoglycidyl ether, from about 0.5 to about 0.75 wt% fragrance, from about 0,5
to about
1..5 wt% non-ionic surfactant, from about 0.1 to about I wt% cationic
surfactant and, the
remainder-, water
[0030] A method of'using the disclosed TEG etheis to eliminate aiiboine and/or-
surface malodor=s is disclosed.. Ihe method comprises applying a composition
containing
the TEG ethers to the sour-ce of the malodors, and allowing the composition to
make
contact with the malodor's and subsequently eliminate the malodors by chemical
modification reactions between the malodorants and the TEG ethers An exemplary
method for preparing the TEG ethers is also disclosed
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[0031] Other= advantages and features of'the disclosed methods and
compositions will
be described in greater detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] For a mor e complete under standing of the disclosed methods and appaz
atuses,
reference should be made to the embodiments illustrated in greatei detail in
the
accompanying dr awings, wherein:
[0033] Fig.. 1 graphically illustrates the ability of'the disclosed TEG ethers
to reduce
the head space concentr-ation of pentanethiol;
[0034] Fig 2 graphically illustrates the ability of'the disclosed TEG ethers
to reduce
the head space concentration of'triprop,ylamine;
[0035] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale
and that
the disclosed embodiments are sometimes illustrated diagrammatically and in
partial
views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an
understanding of'the
disclosure may have been omitted. It should be understood, of'course, that
this disclosure
is not limited to the particular- embodiments illustrated her-ein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
[0036] In a general embodiment, an improved deodotizing composition for
eliminating
airborne and/or surface malodors is provided, The improved composition
includes one or
more malodor counteractants that removes airborne and surface malodors., For
general
purpose of this disclosure, the term "odor removal" refers to the overall
reduction of'the
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odor perceived by human sense of'smell, and is interchangeable with "odor=
suppressing",
"odor elimination", "odoI counteracting", or- the like.
[0037] Preferabl,y, the malodor couteractant is capable of'chemically
moclifying odol-
causing compounds or molecules, i.e malodorants, associated with the malodol
thereby
r-endering the malodorants innocuous.. The malodor counteractants according to
this
disclosure may include one or more glycidyl etheis of'a glycol such as 7EG
diglycidyl
ether and/or TEG monoglycidyl ether, or a mixture of both
[0038] Without being bound to any particular theory, it is believed that the
reactive
primary epoxy gr=oup in TEG di- and/or mono-glycidyl ether reacts with a br-
oad spectrum
of malodorants, rendering them innocuous. In particulat, malodorants that
chemically
react with the epoxy group, such as by opening up the tlu-ee-member ring, may
be
effectively removed from the aiI and/or surface.
10039] TEG diglycidyl ether and TEG monoglycidyl ether arc non-toxic and safe
for
low level human contact, Moreover, both ethers have a vapor pressure at room
temperature of less than 0.OO1nunHg, which allows the malodor counteractant
of'the
composition to make sufficient contact with odor-causing molecules in or=der
to eliminate
them by modification reactions
[0040] If a foimulation containing one oi more glycidyl ethers of TEG is used
on a soft
sutface such as carpeting, upholstery, clothing, bed linens, etc., it is
believed that the
TEG ethers, in combination with other ingredients of'the solution, forms
agglomerations,
within the soft surf'ace.. When an odor-causing material oI molecule engages
these
agglomer-ations, the odor-causing material is dissolved into the agglomeration
thereby
reducing the partial vapor pressure of'the odor-causing material to a level
below what is
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needed to be detected by the human sense of'smell.. As the TEG ethers oi
other= active
ingredient remains in a liquid form, the agglomer=ations remain as liquid
agglomerations
for an extended period of'time and no dried residue is appatent or visible..
[00411 The composition may take any physical form that is suitable for
removing
ailborne and surface malodors In a preferr-ed embodiment, the disclosed
composition is
an aqueous solution, emulsion or suspension containing the malodor=
counteractant. The
malodor- counteractant may also be incorporated into a solid composite such as
by
absorbing, adsorbing, or= trapping the malodor counteractant in a solid
substrate It is to
be understood that the physical presence of'the disclosed composition suitable
for its
application would be apparent to one of'or=dinary skill in the art and should
be consider=ed
within the scope of this disclosure..
[0042] Six exemplary aqueous composition are listed below It should be noted
that
this disclosure is not limited to the particular six formulations and
acceptable ranges of
the various ingredients ar-e also set forth below..
EXAMPLE 1
Wt% Name/Formula Function
89,735 de-ionized water solvent/carrier-
6.0 Ethanol, CH3CH2OH solvent/cariier-
1 00 TEG, triethylene glycol odor remover
HO(CH2)20(CH2)20(CH2)20H
1.5 TEG diglycidyl ether odor remover
C 12H2206
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0 5 IEG monoglycidyl ether odoz- zremovez
C4H180$
0.25 fiagz-ance oil mixture (TAKASAGO RK- fz-agrance
1428, outdooz)
0 265 PROIACHEMTM CAH-60, hydrogenated nonionic suif'actant
castor oil (glycerol, polyethylene glycol
oxysteaiate)
0.75 SOFTANOLiM 70, polyoxyethylene nonionic suzfactant
alkylethez
100,00
EXAMPLE 2
Wt% Name/Formula Function
8920 de-ionized wateY= solvent/catiier-
6.0 Ethanol, CH3CHZOH solvent/catziei
1.00 TEG, tziethylene glycol odoi remover
HO(CH2)20(CHZ)20(CH2)20H
0.8 TEG diglycidyl ethez odoz removez=
C 12H2206
12 IEG monoglycidyl ethel odoz remover
CgH 1 g05
0 25 fz-agr-ance oil mixture (TAKASAGO RK- fz-agrance
1428, outdoor)
1 00 PROIACHEMIM CAH-60, hydzogenated nonionic suifactant
castoz oil (glycerol, polyethylene glycol
oxystearate)
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0.55 TERGITOLrM 15-s-7, polyglycol ethei= nonionic surfactant
100.00
EXAMPLE 3
Wt% Name/Formula Function
89.40 de-ionized watei solvent/canier
6.0 Ethanol, CH3CH2OH solvent/cariiel
1..00 TEG, tiiethylene glycol odor remover=
HO(CH2)20(CHZ)20(CH2)ZOH
1.2 TEG diglycidyl ether odor remover
C 12H2ZOb
08 TEG monoglycidyl ether ador removet
C9HIs05
0.45 fragrance oil mixture (TAKASAGO RK- fragr=ance
1428, outdoor)
0.50 PROTACHEM''" CAH-60, hydrogenated nonionic suifactant
castor oil (glycerol, polyethylene glycol
ox,ystearate)
0.50 TERGITOL71N 15-s-7, polyglycol ether nonionic surfactant
0.15 Agent 2248-14, quatetnary ammonium salt cationic surfactant
100.00
EXAMPLE 4
Wt% Name/Formula Function
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89.10 de-ionized water solvent/cariier
6..0 Ethanol, CH3CH2OH solventlcarxier
1.00 TEG, triethylene glycol odor z-emover
HO(CH2)20(CH2)20(CH2)20H
1.0 IEG diglycidyl ether odor remover
C 12H2206
1.0 TEG monoglycidyl ether odot remover-
C9H1805
0..40 fiagrance oil mixture (TAKASAGO RK- Fragrance
1428, outdoor)
0 50 PROTACHEM'M CAH-60, hydrogenated nonionic surfactant
castor oil (glycerol, polyethylene glycol
oxystear ate)
0.50 TERGITOLIM 15-s;7, polyglycol ether nonionic swfactant
0.50 Agent 2248-14, quatexnary ammonium salt cationic surfactant
100 00
EXAMPLE 5
Wt% Name/Formula Function
88.60 de-ionized watet solvent/caiiier
6..0 Ethanol, CH3CH2OH solvent/carrier
1 00 TEG, triethylene glycol odor remover
HO(CH2)20(CH2)20(CH2)20H
1.5 TEG diglycidyl ether odor remover=
C12H2206
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0..5 IEG monoglycidyl ether odor remover
C9Hy805
0.40 fragrance oil mixture (TAKASAGO RK- fragrance
1428, outdoor)
0.50 PROIACHEMTM CAH-60, hydrogenated nonionic surfactant
castor oil (glycerol, polyethylene glycol
oxystearate)
0 50 TERGITOLTM 15-s-7, polyglycol ether nonionic surfactant
0.40 Agent 2248-14, quaternary ammonium salt cationic surfactant
0.60 Nitrogen propellant
I o0.00
EXAMPLE 6
Wt% Name/For-rnula Function
79.20 de-ionized water solvent/carrier
6.00 Ethanol, CH3CH20H solvent/carrier .
1 00 TEG, triethylene glycol odor remover
HO(CH2)20(CH2)20(CH2)20H
1.,4 TEG diglycidyl ethei odor remover-
C 12H2206
06 TEG monoglycidyl ether odor remover
CgHlg05
0 40 fragrance oil mixture (TAKASAGO RK- fragr=ance
1428, outdoor)
0..50 PROTACHEMiM CAH-60, hydrogenated nonionic surfactant
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castor oil (glycerol, polyethylene glycol
oxystearn.te)
0.50 TERGITOLrM 15-s-7, polyglycol ether nonionic suifactant
0 40 Agent 2248-14, quaternary ammonium salt cationic su.rfactant
10.00 H,ydrocarbon propellant (LPG) propellant
100 00
10043J TEG diglycidyl ether and TEG monoglycidyl ether- may be used alone or
in
combination with one anothei.. The two epoxy gr-oups of'the TEG diglycidyl
ether and
the single epoxy group of'the IEG monoglycidyl ethei r=eact with a broad
spectrum of
malodoTants to r-endei them innocuous., TEG diglycidyl ether is preferred due
to its two
epoxy gr=oups in comparison to the single epoxy group of TEG monoglycidyl
ether.. Both
ar=e non-toxic and safe for low level human contact.
[0044[ TEG diglycidyl ether and IEG monoglycidyl ether= combined may exceed 5
wt% In the examples above, the TEG diglycidyl ether and IEG monoglycidyl ether
comprise 2,0 wt% of the formulations. However, depending on the particular use
or
particular= odors being treated, the TEG diglycidyl ether and TEG monoglycidyl
ether
content can vary widely and could range from 0.5 wt% to 6.0 wt% or more
Examples 1-
6 above, with their combined 2.0 wt% TEG diglycidyl ether- and IEG
monoglycidyl ether
content, are merely currently preferred embodiments.
[0045] As indicated in the above examples, the disclosed composition may
optionally
include an additional malodor counteractant such as a glycol The pr-eferred
glycol is
TEG due to its disinfecting and odor- elimination properties Compositions
comprising
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TEG as the additional malodoi counteractant will benefit from at least one,
and
preferably both, of'the following two malodot removal mechanisms: 1) by
chemical
modification provided by the glycidyl ethers of' rEG; and 2) by eliminating
odoi-causing
bacteria and other microoiganisms that exist in the air or surface.. Depending
on the
specific malodor-, the combination of'the two odor elimination mechanisms may
create a
synergistic effect in removing the malodor..
[0046) When included in the aqueous composition, TEG may be present in an
amount
of from about 0 5 to about 6.0 wt%, moYe preferably from about 0 5 to about 3
wt%, and
most preferabl,y about 1 wt%.. It is to be understood that the concentration
of'TEG is not
meant to limit the scope of'this disclosure and the inclusion of TEG at other
suitable
concentrations would be appat=ent to those of'oi=dinary skill in the art.
[00471 It is also noteworthy that TEG is optional and the amount of TEG may be
relativel,y low as compared to an aerosol air sanitizing foYmulation.
Typically, anair
sanitizing formulation will have about 6 wt% TEG; in this particular
application, i e., soft
sui-faces, the amount of'TEG can be reduced to less than 5 wt% In the examples
above,
the TEG comprises 1.0 wt% of the formulations.. However=, depending on the
particular
use or particuiar odors being treated, the TEG content can vary widely and
could range
ftom 0..5 wt% to 6.0 wt% or more.. Examples 1-6 above, with their 1..0 wt% TEG
content, are merely currently preferred embodiments..
[00481 TEG is not the only glycol that can be used to supplement TEG
diglycidyl ether
and TEG monoglycidyl ether=.. Diprropylene glycol and propylene glycol ar-e
also suitable
glycols. Further, the additional malodoi counteractant may be any liquid
having a vapor
pressure at room temperature of less than 0.0035mmHg such as triethanolamine
(TEA).
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[0049) When the composition is in a form of an aqueous solution, emulsion ot=
suspension, water= is included in the composition as a primary solvent To
facilitate the
solubilization of the malodor counteractant and other ing-edients, the
composition may
fiuther- include an organic co-solvent such as a short chain monoh,ydric
alcohol.
[00501 The short chain monohydric alcohol is prefer-abl,y selected from the
group
consisting of'ethanoi, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, and isobutanol.. In
addition to the
solubilization benefit, the organic co-solvent also provides for a faster dry
time for the
applied composition The most preferred organic co-solvent is ethanol In a pr-
eferied
embodiment, the disclosed composition comprises from about 1 to about 10 wt%
ethanol..
100511 In addition to the short chain monoh,ydric alcohols, other or=ganic
solvents
known in the art may also be included in the disclosed composition, such as
glycol
monoethyl ether or diethylene glycol butyl ether.. Preferabl,y, the alcohol or
glycol ether
co-solvent is pr-esent in the composition at a concentration of'from about 1
to about
lOwt%, It is to be understood, however, that one of ordinary skill would be
able to
determine the type and level of'the co-solvent that is suitably included in
the composition
without undue experimentation..
[0052) In a further- improvement, the disclosed composition may include one or
more
surfactants. The surfactant may be selected fi-om the group consisting
of'nonionic
surfactant, cationic suifactant, anionic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant,
and zwitterionic
surfactant. Preferably, the suifactants include at least one nonionic
surfactant.
[00531 The swfactants used in the disclosed composition may also be known in
the art
as emulsifiers and, for the puzposes of this disclosure, the terms surfactant
and emulsifier
will be considered to be interchangeable as the common property of'surfactants
and
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emulsifiers, i.e., reducing suiface tension, is the impoitant function for-
puxposes of'this
application.. Combinations of'nonionic surfactants have been found to be
effective as
well as combinations of'nonionic and cationic surf'actants
[0054] In a fuithei r=efrnement of'this concept, the non-ionic surfactants
comprise a
combination of'a hydr=ogenated oil and a polyglycol ether. In a further
nefinement, the
ionic surfactant comprises a quaternar,y ammonium salt, In still a further
refnement, the
non-ionic sutfactants may include (1) a hydrogenated castor oil, that includes
glyceiol
and polyethylene glycol ox,ystearate, and (2) a polyglycol ether- that is a
ethoxylation
product of'Cl l to C15 linear secondary alkanols with ethylene oxide.
[0055] Examples I and 2 utilize only nonionic surfactants in the forrn of'
hydrogenated
castoi oils and polyglycol ethers The hydrogenated castor oils aie sold under
the
tradename PROIACHEMIM CAH-60 and the INCI/CTFA chemical name "PEG-60
hydrogenated castor oil." These materials can be obtained from Protameen
Chemicals,
Inc , 375 Minnisik Road, Totowa, New Jersey 07511, The hydrogenated castor oil
includes glycerol stearate, and if'ethoxylated, includes polyethyelene glycol
oxystearate.
[00561 Ihe other nonionic surfactant or emulsifier utilized is either
TERGIIOLrM 15-
S-7, which is a polyglycol ether. It is available from Sigma-Aldrich, P.O. Box
14508, St..
Louis, Missouri 63718 as well as the Dow Chemical Co_, 2030 Dow Center,
Midland,
Michigan 48674.. Other sour=ces of'IERGITOLTM will be apparent to those
skilled in the
art. Another option for a nonionic surfactant is SOFTANOLiM '70, available
from
Nippon Shokubai of'Osaka 541-0043, Japan. Other bianched or linear, primaxy or
secondar,y, polyethoxylated alcohols can be used as nonionic surfactants..
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CA 02593410 2007-06-22
PA7ENT
J-4425A
[0057] Examples 1 and 2 include only nonionic surfactants While these examples
provide an excellent mechanism for deliveting the active ingredients (e.g.,
TEG
diglycidyl ether, TEG monoglycidyl ether and optionally, TEG) and fr=agrance
to odoi-
causing molecules residing in soft surfaces, it has been surprisingly found
that the
combination of nonionic and cationic suifactants provides still improved
utility.. Thus,
small amounts of a quaternary ammonium salt in the form of'Agent 2248-14 may
also be
utilized
[0058] The combination of'the quaternary ammonium salt with the nonionic
surfactants provides improved penetiability and delivery of' TEG di- and mono-
glycidyl
ethers and TEG to the problematic areas within carpeting, upholstery, bedding,
drapes,
etc.. By using a combination of'nonionic and cationic suxfactants, the
disclosed
formulations and methods provide a means for delivering IEG di- and mono-
glycidyl
ethers and TEG to odoi-causing molecules buried deep within upholstery or
carpeting..
[0059] Ihus, the malodor counteractant according to this disclosure can be
effectively
delivered to deeply embedded odor-causing materials such as pet urine or other
problematic odors.. Further, Agent 2248-14 and other quaternary ammonium salts
have
anti-microbial properties and therefor-e add a sanitization function to the
disclosed
formulations. The total surfactant content pr-eferably ranges fiom about 0.50
to about 2
wt%,.
[0060] If'utilized, a pr=efer7-ed quaternary ammonium salt (Agent 2248-14) is
a mixture
of'alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and alkyl dimethyl ethyl benzyl
ammonium
chloride It is sold by the Stepan Company, 22 Fr-ontage Road, Northfield, IL
60093
(www.stepan.com) in a pr-epar-ation that is 25 wt% alkyl dimethyl benzyl
ammonium
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CA 02593410 2007-06-22
PAiENI
J4425A
chloride, 25 wt% alkyl dimethyl ethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, 2-3 wt%
ethanol and
the remainder water..
[0061] A wide variet,y of'cationic surfactants are available and quaternary
ammonium
salts are not the only possibility.. While improving the penetrability of'the
composition
deep into the soft surfaces, the quateinary ammonium salt included in the
composition
may further improve the odor removal performance of'the composition by killing
bacterria
and other odoi-causing microorganisms. While cationic surfactants are utilized
in the
form of quaternary ammonium salts, other cationic surfactants will be appazent
to those
skilled in the art without undue experimentation
[0062] In addition to the ingredients discussed above, the disclosed
composition may
fuithei include additional adjuvants such as fragiances, epoxide stabilizers,
pH adjusting
agents, preservatives, or the like.
[0063] The fragrances utilized can be obtained fiom Takashago International
Corp., a
Japanese coiporation having an office at 4 Volvo Dzive, Rockleigh, New Ter=sey
07647
(http://www.takashago.com) It is to be understood, of'course, that one of
ordinary skill
in the art would be able to determine the type and level of the fr agr ance
that are suitable
for use in the disclosed composition and this disclosure is not limited to the
particulat
fragrances utilized herein. A preferred fragrance range is from about 0,25 to
about 0 75
wt%
[0064] In another iefinement, the applied formulation comprises from about 4
to about
wt% low molecular weight monohydYic alcohol, from about 0.5 to about 5 wt%
glycol, from about 0.5 to about 0.75 wt% fiagrance, from about I to about 2
wt% non-
ionic and ionic surfactants and, the remainder, water-.
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CA 02593410 2007-06-22
PATENT
]-4425A
[0065] In one prreferred embodiment, the formulation comprises from about 4 to
about
8 wt% ethanol, from about 0.5 to about 1.5 wt% IEG diglycidyl ether= and/or
TEG
monoglycidyl ether, from about 0.5 to about 0.75 wt% fragrance, fr-om about 0
5 to about
1..5 wt% non-ionic surfactant, fr-om about 0.1 to about 1 wt% cationic
suzfactant and, the
r-emainder, water,
[0066] The disclosed composition may also be in a form of'an aerosol as
provided in
Examples 5 and 6. In such cases, the composition furthei includes a propellant
such as
nitrogen pr=opellant, hydrocasbon propellant oi- other aerosol propellant
apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art..
[0067] The examples disclosed above are micro emulsions of fragrance, TEG di-
and
mono-glycidyl ethers,TEG, ethanol and water. When applied, the microemulsion
penetrates into the spaces between fibeis of'a soft surface., Upon
evaporation, most of the
volatile components (water and ethanol) are removed and a residual
agglomeration or
droplet of TEG di- and mono-glycidyl ethers, TEG, ethanol, water, fi-agrance
and
surfactant seives as an absoibent for odor-causing compounds and molecules..
The
agglomer=ations also serve as fragrance extender=s..
[0068] An exemplary method for preparing the disclosed TEG ethers is discussed
in
greater detail below.. It is to be under-stood that the preparation of the TEG
ethers would
be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the att, particularl,y in view of'the
method provided
herein. Thus, the methods and apparatuses for pr-eparation of'the TEG ethers
should be
considered as within the scope of'this disclosure.
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PAiENT
J-4425A
Synthesis of the TEG Ethers
[0069] To a 3-necked 254mL round-bottom flask equipped with mechanical
stiuYer,
reflux condenser topped with a drying tube, and stopper is added 15_02g (0
104mo1) of'
TEG and 150 mL of'toluene.. The resulting mixture is vigorously stirred while
4 96g of'
metallic sodium is added in pieces duiing 1.5 hrs while the stirred mixture is
heated to
just below reflux The mixture is then heated under rreflux for 2 hrs and then
allowed to
cool to rroom temperature (-25C). Thereafter, 32 mL (38g, 0.41mol)
of'epichlorohydrin
is added in one portion at room temperature. The reaction mixture was heated
under
reflux for 2 hrs and then allowed to cool to room temperature The resulting
mixture is
then filtered (to remove sodium chloride) and subjected to roto-evaporation to
give 26..I6
g of' a crude product in the form of a viscous yellow oil. The crude product
is then
subjected to vacuum distillation at -1mm to remove residual volatile materials
The
vacuum distilled product may also contain a small amount of TEG monoglycidyl
ether
(TEGMGE)..
[00701 Methods and equipments for evaluating the malodorant removal
perforrnance
of'the TEG ethers prepared above are also pr=ovided and discussed in greater
detail below..
Preparation of' Air Saturated with a Malodorant
[0071) A IL Tedlar Bag with rubber septum (SKC cat # 231-1 or 232-5 septum
with
single pp fitting with eyelets) is filled to approximately 75% of'its total
volume with air=..
The septum is removed and liquid malodorant is added with a micr-opipette The
rubber
septum is then reattached and the bag allowed to sit for 24 hours
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PATENT
J-4425A
Head Space Analysis
[0072] The removal of'the malodors, pentanethiol and triprop,ylamine, with a
test
solution of'5 wt% TEG ether in a solvent mixturt of' 10 wt% EtOH and 90 wt'/o
H20 is
measlu-ed in the head space of a closed 20 mL rubber septum capped vial. In
each case,
the concentration of the malodor in the head space is obtained by GC-MS
analysis of
each sample The head space concentration of'the malodorant ovei 1 mL of the
solvent
mixture (10 wt% EtOH/ 90 wt% H20) is compared to the head space concentration
of'the
maiodor=ant over 1 mL of the TEG ether test solution. In each case the
malodorant is
initially at 25% saturation in malodor and the vials are allowed to equilibr-
ate for - 2
days.
[0073] After equilibrium, the head space concentration of'the malodorant in
each vial
is measured by GC-MS The r-esults are illustrrated as bar graphs in Figure 1
and 2,
wherein the y-axis displays the normalized malodor r=emaining after equilibr-
ation over the
solvent or solution.
10074) As clear-ly indicated in Figures 1 and 2, the TEG ether test solution
either
substantially or, ccompletely removes both of the malodorants from the head
space of'the
vials.. More specifically, the head space concentration of'tripropylamine is
reduced by
84%; and the head space concentration of'pentanethiol is reduced by 99 99%,
indicating
excellent odor removal performance of the TEG ethers against at least those
two
malodorants.
[0075] The above discussed evaluation tests are simply purported to
demonstrate the
efficacy of the TEG ethers in removing malodors and are not meant to limit the
scope of'
the disclosure to the two malodor-ants discussed above. It is to be understood
that one of'
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PATENT
7-4425A
ordinar,y skill in the art would be able to recognize malodorants that can be
chemically
modified by the IEG ethers and the removal the malodorants by using the
disclosed
composition without undue experimentation.
[0076) In summary, the disclosed compositions provide new application of' TEG
di-
and mono-glycidyl ethers as malodoi counteractant for airborne and surface
malodors,
including odois deeply embedded in soft surfaces such as caipeting and
upholstery..
When the composition is applied, the odor-causing molecules come into contact
with and
react with the TEG di- and mono-glycidyl ethers and ar-e converted to
innocuous
materials..
[0077] While only certain embodiments have been set forth, alternative
embodiments
and vaiious modifications will be apparent from the above descriptions to
those skilled in
the art, These and other alternatives ate considered equivalents and within
the spizit and
scope of'this disclosure.
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