Product designed to combat bad body odor

Abstract

Product (10) intended for combating bad body odors, based on lactic acid-producing bacteria, with a composition (27) containing the lactic acid-producing bacteria, characterized in that it comprises a first chamber (21) in which the composition (27) is located and a second chamber (23) designed to receive a fluid (28), wherein the product (10) has a transportable state in which the first and second chambers (21, 23) are fluidically separated from each other and a usable state in which the first and second chambers (21, 23) are fluidically in contact with each other.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a product based on lactic acid producing bacteria intended for combating bad body odors, with a composition containing the lactic acid producing bacteria.

[0002] Such products are known from DE 10 2018 106 331 B4.

[0003] The use of lactic acid-producing bacteria to combat bad odors is widely known in the art.

[0004] For example, WO 2007 / 039086 A1 describes the use of lyophilized bacteria of various Lactobacillus strains, which are mixed with a suitable liquid such as water to make them grow again, and which are then sprayed onto the skin, for example with a pump spray, in order to prevent or reduce the development of bad body odor.

[0005] EP 1 082 091 B1 discloses the use of extracts of microorganisms to inhibit body odors.

[0006] CA 2 056 167 A1 discloses a powder containing Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidus spp. that is applied to the human body, for example, the feet, and activated by perspiration. To inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause skin irritation, a culture medium is added. Fragrances are added to combat odors.

[0007] EP 1468 075 B1 describes the Lactobacillus strain L-paracasei viro-01 - KCTC 10132BP and its use in a deodorizer. The bacterium can be used as a dry powder to combat odors; alternatively, the fermentation liquid diluted in water can be sprayed onto the odor source from a spray can.

[0008] Finally, DE 27 23 191 A1 already discloses a deodorizing composition with live cells of Lactobacillus spp. The bacteria must be cultivated in a special nutrient medium and can be lyophilized or stored at low temperatures for extended periods without losing their activity.

[0009] The products known from DE 10 2018 106 331 B4 mentioned above are incontinence diapers to which a composition containing lactic acid-producing bacteria was applied, and which were then tested on incontinent patients. This treatment of fresh incontinence diapers is said to have reduced the urine odor that occurs during prolonged wear of the incontinence diapers.

[0010] The composition contained the bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus TYCA15, Lactobacillus salivarius sp., Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium longum in a ratio of 1:1:1:1:1.

[0011] EP 1 257 303 B1 also describes the use of lactic acid-producing microorganisms for odor control and teaches the inclusion of these microorganisms in articles such as sanitary pads, panty liners, or diapers with a breathable backing layer that ensures that the microorganisms remain dry and are only activated by liquid when the article is worn, rather than by slight moisture. Various bacterial strains and their ATCC numbers are mentioned as examples, including the strains Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactococcus lactis.

[0012] As in DE 10 2018 106 331 B4, the lactic acid producing bacteria were available as powder or lyophilized.

[0013] The state of the art described in this regard shows that lactic acid-producing bacteria can be stored in a dry place and applied directly to affected areas of the body or incorporated into hygiene products, where they are activated by contact with body fluids and counteract the development of unpleasant body odours.

[0014] In the prior art, various additives are proposed for the respective disclosed compositions containing lactic acid-producing bacteria in order to supply the bacteria with nutrients and / or to achieve the desired odor reduction.

[0015] A product for combating bad body odors based on lactic acid-producing bacteria is not known to the inventors of the present application from the market and cannot be inferred from the various relevant intellectual property rights.

[0016] Against this background, the present invention seeks to create a product of the type mentioned above that avoids the disadvantages known from the prior art. In particular, the product should be simple and inexpensive to manufacture and suitable for everyday use.

[0017] For the purposes of this application, a product suitable for everyday use is understood to mean a product that can be purchased ready for use in stores, stored at home and used at any time without any problems.

[0018] In the product mentioned at the outset, this object is achieved in that it comprises a first chamber in which the composition is located and a second chamber which is designed to receive a fluid, wherein the product has a transportable state in which the first and second chambers are fluidically separated from one another and a usable state in which the first and second chambers are in fluidic contact with one another, wherein the fluid is preferably already located in the second chamber, the fluid further preferably comprises water, in particular tap water, and furthermore the fluid preferably contains at least one nutrient which promotes the growth of the bacteria.

[0019] The problem underlying the innovation is thus completely solved.

[0020] According to the inventors' findings, the product, which is preferably designed as a pump-spray bottle, can be stored in a transportable state for several months in stores or by the user without losing its effectiveness. Furthermore, it can also be stored in a usable state for several days and used repeatedly.

[0021] This makes the new product suitable for everyday use, as it can be stored on the shelf at home or at the retailer for longer periods without losing its activity.

[0022] Although it is also intended that the user only fills the fluid into the product shortly before use, the length of storage life is not reduced if the fluid is already contained in the second chamber when the product is delivered.

[0023] Because the new product can be stored at room temperature for months without losing its effectiveness, it's particularly easy to handle. It requires no special attention and can be used anytime.

[0024] If the new product includes a manually operated pumping mechanism to generate an aerosol containing the fluid and composition, its application is particularly simple.

[0025] It is further preferred if the composition contains bacteria of the genera Lactobacillus ssp. and Bifidobacterium ssp., more preferably probiotic bacteria, wherein the composition preferably contains or is a probiotic preparation.

[0026] Probiotic preparations are also known as probiotics. They contain viable microorganisms, such as lactic acid-producing bacteria, and are intended to be used as food or dietary supplements to maintain, support, or rebuild the body's "good" bacteria, i.e., the microflora.

[0027] The inventors of the present application have surprisingly discovered in various experiments that, in particular, a probiotic preparation containing lactic acid-producing bacteria and preferably carbohydrates, when absorbed into tap water, produces a solution which, when applied to affected body regions such as the feet, to worn footwear or to worn clothing, delivers very good results in the short term in combating bad odors.

[0028] The new product is therefore particularly easy and inexpensive to produce because preparations already on the market can be used.

[0029] The probiotic preparation preferably contains one or more bacterial strains, each selected from the group consisting of: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus breve, Lactobacillus retueri, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis and Streptococcus thermophilus.

[0030] If the preparation contains at least one nutrient in addition to the bacterial strains, especially carbohydrates such as cornstarch or lactose, the bacteria develop their effect particularly quickly after application.

[0031] Against this background, the present innovation also concerns the use of the new product on the human body to combat malodour, in particular foot odour, on worn clothing to combat malodour resulting from wearing it, and in or on worn footwear to combat malodour resulting from wearing it.

[0032] In the context of this application, “wearing” means the intended use of a piece of clothing or footwear.

[0033] In this context, “bad odor due to wear” means an odor that clings to or on clothing or footwear and that does not completely disappear even with normal cleaning.

[0034] Against this background, the present innovation also relates to the use of a probiotic preparation containing lactic acid-producing bacteria for combating bad body odours, wherein the probiotic preparation preferably contains one or more bacterial strains, wherein each bacterial strain is selected from the group consisting of: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus breve, Lactobacillus retueri, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium bifi-dum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis and Streptococcus thermophilus.

[0035] Preferably, the probiotic preparation contains at least one nutrient, in particular carbohydrates.

[0036] Further advantages are evident from the description and the attached drawing.

[0037] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0038] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. They show: Fig. 1 in schematic side view a manually operated pump spray bottle in a transportable state, and Fig. 2 the pump spray bottle Fig. 1 in usable condition.

[0039] In Fig. 1 shows a schematic and not to scale side view of the new product 10, which is designed here as a manually operated pump spray bottle 11.

[0040] The pump spray bottle 11 has a push button 14 at its upper end 12, which acts via a bolt 15 on a pump mechanism 16 in the interior 17 of the pump spray bottle 11 in order to dispense, in a manner known per se, an aerosol which is only Fig. 2 shown spray jet 18 from the print head 12.

[0041] Manually operated pump spray bottles are sufficiently known from the prior art, see for example DE 20 2006 013 373 U1, so that a detailed description of the generation of the spray jet 18 is unnecessary.

[0042] At the lower end 19 of the pump spray bottle 11, which has a vertical axis 20, there is a lower first chamber 21 with a lid 22, wherein the interior 17 of the pump spray bottle 11 forms an upper second chamber 23 with a bottom 24.

[0043] The bottom 24 and the lid 22 lie on top of each other in such a way that the lower chamber 21 can be rotated about the vertical axis 20 relative to the upper chamber 23, which is indicated by an arrow 25.

[0044] Inside 26 of the lower chamber 21 there is a lyophilized composition 27 containing bacteria, which is described in more detail below.

[0045] Inside 17 of the pump spray bottle 11, i.e. in the second chamber 23, there is a fluid 28 which is water, in the simplest case tap water.

[0046] On the one hand, the fluid 28 can be filled into the interior 17 by the user via a nozzle schematically indicated at 29 before the pump spray bottle 11 is put to its intended use.

[0047] On the other hand, the pump spray bottle 11 can also be designed without a nozzle 29. In this case, the fluid 28 is filled into the second chamber 23 by the manufacturer before the pump spray bottle 11 is placed on the market.

[0048] Through holes 31 are arranged in the cover 22, of which Fig. 1, two are shown as examples. Similarly, through holes 32 are arranged in the base 24, of which Fig. 1 also shows two examples.

[0049] In the Fig. In the transportable state of the pump spray bottle 11 shown in Figure 1, the chambers 21 and 23 are rotated relative to each other in such a way that the through holes 31 and 32 are not aligned with each other, so that the chambers 21 and 23 are fluidically separated from each other.

[0050] The composition 27 stored in the interior 26 of the first chamber 21 and kept dry thus does not come into contact with the fluid 28 even over longer storage periods, regardless of whether the second chamber 23 is already filled with the fluid 28 by the manufacturer or by the user before use.

[0051] By rotating the first chamber 21 relative to the second chamber 23 according to the arrow 25 around the vertical axis 20, the through holes 31 and 32 are aligned with each other, as is shown for example in Fig. 2 is shown.

[0052] The aligned through holes 31, 32 now connect the interior 17 of the second chamber 23 with the interior 26 of the first chamber 21, so that fluid 28 and composition 27 mix, which the user can support and, if necessary, accelerate by shaking the pump spray bottle 11.

[0053] The fluid 28, in which the composition 27 was absorbed, is now located in the interior 17 and the interior 26. The fluid 28 and the composition 27 have mixed to form a solution 33. The pump spray bottle 11 is now ready for use.

[0054] If the print head 14 is now operated manually, outside air is pumped into the interior 17, which causes this solution 33 to be pressed into the pump mechanism 16 via a hose 34 projecting into the solution 33 and from there released as an aerosol in the spray jet 18.

[0055] Composition 27 consists of a probiotic preparation commercially available under product code 12785 from Dr. Behr GmbH, Königswinterer Str. 37a, 53227 Bonn.

[0056] This preparation contains the bacterial strains Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus retueri, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium breve, and Streptococcus thermophilus as well as carbohydrates in the form of starch.

[0057] The preparation is supplied lyophilized and, according to the data sheet, can be stored for up to 10 days at 8°C for transport purposes and for up to 18 months at -18°C.

[0058] However, the inventors have now surprisingly found that a pump spray 11 containing the above-mentioned probiotic preparation in the first chamber 21 and tap water in the second chamber 23 can be used to combat bad odors.

[0059] For this purpose, the first chamber 21 was rotated so that the fluid 28 and the composition 27 could mix. Then, using the push button 14, a spray jet 18 was generated, and the aerosol was applied to the feet of a subject suffering from foot odor, into the subject's worn shoes, and onto worn clothing.

[0060] A noticeable reduction in the previously present unpleasant odor was observed just a few hours after application. This effect lasted for several days to months, even after the shoes or clothing were worn again. Washing the clothing or excessively washing the feet reduced the duration of the effect.

[0061] The effect is reduced primarily by wearing the same socks in shoes that are worn for several hours at a time or by wearing wet shoes.

[0062] Without wishing to be bound by this explanation, the inventors of the present innovation assume that the odor-fighting effect of the lactic acid-producing bacteria is based on the fact that they hinder or prevent the growth of the bacteria that cause bad body odor by metabolizing body fluids, excretions or other substances that the human body releases or "sweats out".

[0063] Despite the storage conditions required by the data sheet, the inventors have also discovered that the new product can be stored in its transportable state at room temperature for over a year without losing its effectiveness when it is subsequently converted into a usable state and applied. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2018 106 331 B4 [0002, 0009, 0012] WO 2007 / 039086 A1

[0004] EP 1 082 091 B1

[0005] CA 2 056 167 A1

[0006] EP 1468 075 B1

[0007] DE 27 23 191 A1

[0008] EP 1 257 303 B1

[0011] DE 20 2006 013 373 U1

[0041]

Claims

[1] Product (10) based on lactic acid-producing bacteria intended to combat bad body odours, with a composition (27) containing the lactic acid-producing bacteria, characterized by in that it comprises a first chamber (21) in which the composition (27) is located, and a second chamber (23) which is designed to receive a fluid (28), wherein the product (10) has a transportable state in which the first and second chambers (21, 23) are fluidically separated from one another, and a usable state in which the first and second chambers (21, 23) are in fluidic contact with one another. [2] Product according to claim 1, wherein the fluid (18) is located in the second chamber (23). [3] Product according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the fluid (28) comprises water. [4] Product according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat the fluid (28) contains at least one nutrient which promotes the growth of the bacteria. [5] Product according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the composition (27) contains bacteria of the genera Lactobacillus ssp. and Bifidobacterium ssp. [6] Product according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the composition (27) contains probiotic bacteria. [7] Product according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the composition (27) contains a probiotic preparation. [8] Product according to claim 7, characterized by that the composition (27) is the probiotic preparation. [9] Product according to claim 8, characterized bythat the probiotic preparation contains one or more bacterial strains, each bacterial strain being selected from the group consisting of: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus breve, Lactobacillus retueri, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis and Streptococcus thermophilus. [10] Product according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by that the probiotic preparation contains at least one nutrient, in particular carbohydrates, in addition to the bacterial strains. [11] Product according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by in that it comprises a manually operated pumping mechanism (16) for generating an aerosol containing the fluid (28) and the composition (27). [12] Use of the product according to any one of claims 1 to 11 on the human body for combating bad odor, in particular foot odor. [13] Use of the product according to any one of claims 1 to 11 on worn garments to combat bad odour resulting from wearing. [14] Use of the product according to any one of claims 1 to 11 on worn footwear to combat bad odour resulting from wearing. [15] Use of a probiotic preparation containing lactic acid producing bacteria to combat bad body odors. [16] Use according to claim 15, characterized bythat the probiotic preparation contains one or more bacterial strains, each bacterial strain being selected from the group consisting of: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus breve, Lactobacillus retueri, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis and Streptococcus thermophilus. [17] Use according to claim 15 or 16, characterized by that the probiotic preparation contains at least one nutrient, in particular carbohydrates, in addition to the bacterial strains.

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