Delivery system comprising a non-woven fibrous structure

Abstract

The technical field of the present invention relates to a delivery system comprising a non-woven fibrous structure. Processes for preparing said system and consumer products containing said system are also objects of the invention.

Description

[0001] DELIVERY SYSTEM COMPRISING A NON-WOVEN FIBROUS STRUCTURE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The technical field of the present invention relates to a delivery system comprising a non-woven fibrous structure. Processes for preparing said delivery system and consumer products containing said delivery system are also objects of the invention.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] There are different ways to impart an active ingredient such as a flavor or a perfume to a consumer product. Among them, one may cite the incorporation of flavored or perfumed delivery system in food or perfumed products respectively. It is well-known that flavoring ingredients or perfuming ingredients can be encapsulated in particles or microcapsules. Particles or microcapsules provide several advantages, such as protecting the flavoring ingredients from physical or chemical reactions with incompatible ingredients in the food product, and from volatilization or evaporation. Particles can be particularly effective in the delivery and preservation of flavors in that flavors can be delivered to and retained within the food product by a particle that releases the flavors upon mastication, cooking or dissolution.

[0006] However, there is a growing demand for limiting microplastics in delivery systems for fragrances and for providing more sustainable and more label-friendly delivery systems for flavors. Generally, there is also a demand for novel dry formats that replace liquid products, since dry formats can be shipped more easily (lighter) and often with less plastic than their liquid counterparts. These dry formats can be reconstituted through addition of water by the consumer and have favorable properties, just like the original liquid product. Additionally, while powder and particles can contain a plurality of different actives, they often have to be blended with other actives or inactive bulking ingredients. During these blending and handling operations, particles and powders are prone to poor mixing, demixing and segregation phenomena. Finally, there is a need for delivery systems to be part of packaging solutions and the existing solutions are unsuitable for this. Finally, powders tend to be dusty, are prone to attrition and often require flow agents, many of which are nanomaterials that are undesirable from a labeling perspective.

[0007] Thus, there is a need in the industry for developing sustainable delivery systems comprising active ingredients, with excellent physical and chemical stability, which release different active ingredients like flavors, fragrances, nutrients, actives or blends of these at the right level for the desired duration, while improving the cost-in-use performance, with minimal demixing or segregation of ingredients to provide consumers with a delightful, beneficial and specific organoleptic experience. In addition, novel formats that move away from traditional powder and particles are desirable, since they can be dust-free, self-supporting or adhered to packaging, allowing for novel applications for flavor, fragrance, nutrient delivery in consumer products. The present invention satisfies this and other needs of the industry.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a delivery system comprising a non-woven fibrous structure and an active material.

[0010] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a consumer product, preferably a perfumed or a flavored consumer product comprising the delivery system as described above.

[0011] DETAILED DESCIRPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Figures 1 represent scanning electron micrographs of tea bag before electrospinning (unsprayed tea bag)

[0013] Figures 2 represent scanning electron micrographs after electrospinning (spray on tea bag) (active: Mint oil)

[0014] Figures 3 represent scanning electron micrographs after electrospinning (spray on foil) (active: Mint oil)

[0015] Figures 4 represent scanning electron micrographs after electrospinning (spray on tea bag) (active: Mint oil) Figure 5 represents scanning electron micrographs after electrospinning (active: 1- Ethoxyethyl Acetate).

[0016] Figure 6 represents scanning electron micrographs after electrospinning (active: furfuryl mercaptan).

[0017] Figure 7 represents scanning electron micrographs after electrospinning (active: 2- phenylethyl 2-oxo-2 phenylacetate).

[0018] Figures 8a and 8b represent scanning electron micrographs showing individual electrospun fibers according some aspects of the present disclosure transferred onto synthetic fabric.

[0019] Delivery system

[0020] The present invention relates to a delivery system comprising a non-woven fibrous structure and an active material.

[0021] Non-woven fibrous structure

[0022] By "non-woven fibrous structure", it covers a structure comprising, preferably consisting of fibers or a structure comprising both fibers and particles.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the non-woven fibrous structure comprises at least one fiber. The active material is typically embedded within said fiber.

[0024] The fibers have preferably a diameter comprised between 5 nm and 500 pm, preferably between 100 nm and 5 pm.

[0025] The particles have preferably a size comprised between 50nm and 50 pm, preferably between lOOnm and 20 pm.

[0026] Size and or diameter are typically measured using Scanning Electron Microscopy.

[0027] The fibrous structure of the present invention is a non-woven fibrous structure which has high surface area for rapid dissolution or release, typically in the order of 0.01 to 1000m2 / g.

[0028] Furthermore, the delivery system according to the invention is non-dusting and can be layered to contain multiple ingredients. It also has inherent segregation protection and is made using room-temperature processing which includes anhydrous processing when required.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the fibrous structure comprises a carrier.

[0030] According to an embodiment, the fiber(s) comprise(s) a carrier. The carrier contains preferably a polymer chosen in the group consisting of synthetic polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyethylene oxide (PEO) or polycaprolactone (PCL); protein based biopolymers such as plant proteins (as nonlimiting examples: potato protein, canola protein, soy protein, zein and mixtures thereof), animal based proteins such as silk protein, gelatin, whey protein isolate or carbohydrate-based biopolymers such as starch, ethyl cellulose, pullulan, xanthan, dextran, alginate, carrageenan, pectin, chitosan, and mixtures thereof.

[0031] "Polymer" used in the present invention also includes biopolymer.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the fibrous structure comprises at least one fibrous layer.

[0033] The fibrous structure has preferably a thickness comprised between 0.1 pm and 10 mm, preferably between 1 pm and 1mm.

[0034] According to an embodiment, the fibrous structure comprises at least one fibrous multilayer. By "multilayered", it should be understood a structure containing at least two non-woven fibrous layers.

[0035] According to a particular embodiment, a different active material is present in each layer of the fibrous multilayer.

[0036] Active material

[0037] According to an embodiment, the active material is embedded within the nonwoven fibrous structure, preferably within the fibers.

[0038] According to the invention, the active material is preferably chosen in the group consisting of flavors, pro-flavors, fragrances, pro-fragrances, vitamins, minerals, nutraceuticals, malodor counteractant, cosmetics, pest control agents, biocide actives, and mixtures thereof.

[0039] According to an embodiment, the active material is a flavor or fragrance. By "flavor oil" or "flavor", it is meant here a flavoring ingredient or a mixture of flavoring ingredients, solvents or adjuvants of current use for the preparation of a flavoring formulation, i.e. a particular mixture of ingredients which is intended to be added to an edible composition or chewable product to impart, improve or modify its organoleptic properties, in particular its flavor and / or taste. Flavoring ingredients are well known to a person skilled in the art and their nature does not warrant a detailed description here, which in any case would not be exhaustive, the skilled flavorist being able to select them on the basis of his general knowledge and according to the intended use or application and the organoleptic effect it is desired to achieve. Many of these flavoring ingredients are listed in reference texts such as in the book by S. Arctander, Perfume and Flavor Chemicals, 1969, Montclair, N.J., USA, or its more recent versions, or in other works of similar nature such as Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, 1975, CRC Press or Synthetic Food Adjuncts, 1947, by M. B. Jacobs, van Nostrand Co., Inc. Solvents and adjuvants of current use for the preparation of a flavoring formulation are also well known in the art.

[0040] In an embodiment, the flavor is a mint flavor. In a more particular embodiment, the mint is selected from the group consisting of peppermint and spearmint.

[0041] In a further embodiment, the flavor is a cooling agent or mixtures thereof.

[0042] In another embodiment, the flavor is a menthol flavor.

[0043] Flavors that are derived from or based on fruits where citric acid is the predominant, naturally-occurring acid include but are not limited to, for example, citrus fruits (e.g. lemon, lime), limonene, strawberry, orange, and pineapple. In one embodiment, the flavor is lemon, lime or orange juice extracted directly from the fruit. Further embodiments of the flavor comprise the juice or liquid extracted from oranges, lemons, grapefruits, key limes, citrons, clementines, mandarins, tangerines, and any other citrus fruit, or variation or hybrid thereof. In an embodiment, the flavor comprises a liquid extracted or distilled from oranges, lemons, grapefruits, key limes, citrons, clementines, mandarins, tangerines, any other citrus fruit or variation or hybrid thereof, pomegranates, kiwifruits, watermelons, apples, bananas, blueberries, melons, ginger, bell peppers, cucumbers, passion fruits, mangos, pears, tomatoes, and strawberries. In an embodiment, the flavor comprises a composition that comprises limonene, In an embodiment, the composition is a citrus that further comprises limonene.

[0044] In another particular embodiment, the flavor comprises a flavor selected from the group comprising strawberry, orange, lime, tropical, berry mix, and pineapple.

[0045] The phrase flavor includes not only flavors that impart or modify the smell of foods but include taste imparting or modifying ingredients. The latter do not necessarily have a taste or smell themselves but are capable of modifying the taste that other ingredients provides, for instance, salt enhancing ingredients, sweetness enhancing ingredients, umami enhancing ingredients, bitterness blocking ingredients and so on.

[0046] In a further embodiment, suitable sweetening components may be included in the particles described herein. In an embodiment, a sweetening component is selected from the group consisting of sugar (e.g., but not limited to sucrose), a stevia component (such as but not limited to stevioside or rebaudioside A), sodium cyclamate, aspartame, sucralose, sodium saccharine, and Acesulfam K or mixtures thereof.

[0047] By "perfume" (or also "perfume oil") what is meant here is an ingredient or a composition that is a liquid at about 20°C. According to any one of the above embodiments said perfume oil can be a perfuming ingredient alone or a mixture of ingredients in the form of a perfuming composition. As a "perfuming ingredient" it is meant here a compound, which is used for the primary purpose of conferring or modulating an odor. In other words such an ingredient, to be considered as being a perfuming one, must be recognized by a person skilled in the art as being able to at least impart or modify in a positive or pleasant way the odor of a composition, and not just as having an odor. For the purpose of the present invention, perfume oil also includes a combination of perfuming ingredients with substances which together improve, enhance or modify the delivery of the perfuming ingredients, such as perfume precursors, modulators, emulsions or dispersions, as well as combinations which impart an additional benefit beyond that of modifying or imparting an odor, such as long-lastingness, blooming, malodor counteraction, antimicrobial effect, microbial stability, pest control.

[0048] The nature and type of the perfuming ingredients present in the oil phase do not warrant a more detailed description here, which in any case would not be exhaustive, the skilled person being able to select them on the basis of its general knowledge and according to intended use or application and the desired organoleptic effect. In general terms, these perfuming ingredients belong to chemical classes as varied as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, ethers, acetates, nitriles, terpenoids, nitrogenous or sulfurous heterocyclic compounds and essential oils (for example Thyme oil), and said perfuming co-ingredients can be of natural or synthetic origin. Many of these co-ingredients are in any case listed in reference texts such as the book by S. Arctander, Perfume and Flavor Chemicals, 1969, Montclair, New Jersey, USA, or its more recent versions, or in other works of a similar nature, as well as in the abundant patent literature in the field of perfumery.

[0049] In particular one may cite perfuming ingredients which are commonly used in perfume formulations, such as:

[0050] - Aldehydic ingredients: decanal, dodecanal, 2-methyl-undecanal, 10-undecenal, octanal, nonanal and / or nonenal;

[0051] - Aromatic-herbal ingredients: eucalyptus oil, camphor, eucalyptol, 5- methyltricyclo[6.2.1.027]undecan-4-one, l-methoxy-3-hexanethiol, 2-ethyl-4,4- dimethyl-l,3-oxathiane, 2,2,7 / 8,9 / 10-tetramethylspiro[5.5]undec-8-en-1-one, menthol and / or alpha-pinene;

[0052] - Balsamic ingredients: coumarin, ethylvanillin and / or vanillin;

[0053] - Citrus ingredients: dihydromyrcenol, citral, orange oil, linalyl acetate, citronellyl nitrile, orange terpenes, limonene, l-p-menthen-8-yl acetate and / or 1,4(8)-p-menthadiene;

[0054] - Floral ingredients: methyl dihydrojasmonate, linalool, citronellol, phenylethanol, 3- (4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal, hexylcinnamic aldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl salicylate, tetrahydro-2-isobutyl-4-methyl-4(2H)-pyranol, beta ionone, methyl 2-(methylamino)benzoate, (E)-3-methyl-4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2- cyclohexen-1-yl)-3-buten-2-one, (1E)-1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-1- penten-3-one, 1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1,3-cyclohexadien-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one, (2E)-1- (2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one, (2E)-1-[2,6,6-trimethyl-3- cyclohexen-l-yl]-2-buten-l-one, (2E)-1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2- buten-l-one, 3-(3,3 / 1,1-dimethyl-5-indanyl)propanal, 2,5-dimethyl-2- indanmethanol, 2,6,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate, 3-(4,4-dimethyl-1- cyclohexen-1-yl)propanal, hexyl salicylate, 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-nonadien-3-ol, 3-(4- isopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal, verdyl acetate, geraniol, p-menth-l-en-8-ol, 4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1-cyclohexyle acetate, l,l-dimethyl-2-phenylethyl acetate, 4-cyclohexyl-2-methyl-2-butanol, amyl salicylate , high cis methyl dihydrojasmonate, 3-methyl-5-phenyl-l-pentanol, verdyl proprionate, geranyl acetate, tetrahydro linalool, cis-7-p-menthanol, propyl (S)-2- (1,1- dimethylpropoxy)propanoate, 2-methoxynaphthalene, 2,2,2-trichloro-1- phenylethyl acetate, 4 / 3-(4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3-cyclohexene-1- carbaldehyde, amylcinnamic aldehyde, 8-decen-5-olide, 4-phenyl-2-butanone, isononyle acetate, 4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1-cyclohexyl acetate, verdyl isobutyrate and / or mixture of methylionones isomers;

[0055] - Fruity ingredients: gamma-undecalactone, 2,2,5-trimethyl-5- pentylcyclopentanone, 2-methyl-4-propyl-1,3-oxathiane, 4-decanolide, ethyl 2- methyl-pentanoate, hexyl acetate, ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, gamma-nonalactone, allyl heptanoate, 2-phenoxyethyl isobutyrate, ethyl 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane-2- acetate, diethyl 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate, 3-methyl-2-hexen-1-yl acetate, 1- [3,3-dimethylcyclohexyl]ethyl [3-ethyl-2-oxiranyl]acetate and / or diethyl 1,4- cyclohexane dicarboxylate;

[0056] - Green ingredients: 2-methyl-3-hexanone (E)-oxime, 2,4-dimethyl-3- cyclohexene-1-carbaldehyde, 2-tert-butyl-1-cyclohexyl acetate, styrallyl acetate, allyl (2-methylbutoxy)acetate, 4-methyl-3-decen-5-ol, diphenyl ether, (Z)-3- hexen-1-ol and / or 1-(5,5-dimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-4-penten-1-one;

[0057] - Musk ingredients: 1,4-dioxa-5,17-cycloheptadecanedione, (Z)-4- cyclopentadecen-1-one, 3-methylcyclopentadecanone, 1-oxa-12- cyclohexadecen-2-one, 1-oxa-13-cyclohexadecen-2-one, (9Z)-9- cycloheptadecen-1-one, 2-{(1S)-1-[(1R)-3,3-dimethylcyclohexyl]ethoxy}-2- oxoethyl propionate, 3-methyl-5-cyclopentadecen-1-one, 4, 6, 6, 7,8,8- hexamethyl-1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydrocyclopenta[g]isochromene, (1S,TR)-2-[1-(3',3'- dimethyl-T-cyclohexyl)ethoxy]-2-methylpropyl propanoate, oxacyclohexadecan- 2-one and / or (lS,l'R)-[l-(3',3'-dimethyl-l'-cyclohexyl)ethoxycarbonyl]methyl propanoate;

[0058] - Woody ingredients: l-[(lRS,6SR)-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl]-3-hexanol, 3,3- dimethyl-5-[(lR)-2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-l-yl]-4-penten-2-ol, 3,4'- dimethylspiro[oxirane-2,9'-tricyclo[6.2.1.027]undec[4]ene, (1- ethoxyethoxy)cyclododecane, 2,2,9,ll-tetramethylspiro[5.5]undec-8-en-l-yl acetate, 1-(octahydro-2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphtalenyl)-1-ethanone, patchouli oil, terpenes fractions of patchouli oil, Clearwood”, (l'R,E)-2-ethyl-4-(2',2',3'- trimethyl-3'-cyclopenten-l'-yl)-2-buten-l-ol, 2-ethyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3- cyclopenten-1-yl)-2-buten-1-ol, methyl cedryl ketone, 5-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3- cyclopentenyl)-3-methylpentan-2-ol, 1-(2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4,6,7,8,8a- octahydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethan-1-one and / or isobornyl acetate;

[0059] - Other ingredients (e.g. amber, powdery spicy or watery): dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a- tetramethyl-naphtho[2,l-b]furan and any of its stereoisomers, heliotropin, anisic aldehyde, eugenol, cinnamic aldehyde, clove oil, 3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2- methylpropanal, 7-methyl-2H-1,5-benzodioxepin-3(4H)-one, 2,5,5-trimethyl- l,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7-octahydro-2-naphthalenol, 1-phenylvinyl acetate, 6-methyl-7-oxa- l-thia-4-azaspiro[4.4]nonane and / or 3-(3-isopropyl-1-phenyl)butanal.

[0060] According to a particular embodiment, the active material is a pro-flavor or profragrance.

[0061] It is well known that a pro-flavor or pro-fragrance can be sensitive to hydrolysis, oxygen or other chemicals. The delivery system according to the invention is particularly suitable to contain pro-flavor or pro-fragrance as said delivery system can be prepared without all of these triggers.

[0062] The pro-fragrance can be chosen in the group consisting of 4-(dodecylthio)-4-(2,6,6- trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2-butanone, 4-(dodecylthio)-4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1- cyclohexen-1-yl)-2-butanone, 3-(dodecylthio)-1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexen-1-yl)-1- butanone, 2-(dodecylthio)octan-4-one, 2-phenylethyl oxo(phenyl)acetate (also referred to as 2-phenylethyl 2-oxo-2 phenylacetate), 3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl oxo(phenyl)acetate, (Z)-hex-3-en-1-yl oxo(phenyl)acetate, 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien- 1-yl hexadecanoate, bis(3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl) succinate, (2-((2- methylundec-1-en-1-yl)oxy)ethyl)benzene, l-methoxy-4-(3-methyl-4-phenethoxybut- 3-en-1-yl)benzene, (3-methyl-4-phenethoxybut-3-en-1-yl)benzene, 1-(((Z)-hex-3-en- 1-yl)oxy)-2-methylundec-1-ene, (2-((2-methylundec-1-en-1-yl)oxy)ethoxy)benzene, 2- methyl-1-(octan-3-yloxy)undec-1-ene, 1-methoxy-4-(1-phenethoxyprop-1-en-2- yl)benzene, 1-methyl-4-(1-phenethoxyprop-1-en-2-yl)benzene, 2-(l-phenethoxyprop- 1-en-2-yl)naphthalene, (2-phenethoxyvinyl)benzene, 2-(1-((3,7-dimethyloct-6-en-1- yl)oxy)prop-l-en-2-yl)naphthalene, (2-((2- pentylcyclopentylidene)methoxy)ethyl)benzene, 4-allyl-2-methoxy-1-((2-methoxy-2- phenylvinyl)oxy)benzene, (2-((2-heptylcyclopentylidene)methoxy)ethyl)benzene, 1- isopropyl-4-methyl-2-((2-pentylcyclopentylidene)methoxy)benzene, 2-methoxy-l- ((2-pentylcyclopentylidene)methoxy)-4-propylbenzene, 3-methoxy-4-((2-methoxy-2- phenylvinyl)oxy)benzaldehyde, 4-((2-(hexyloxy)-2-phenylvinyl)oxy)-3- methoxybenzaldehyde, trans-3-(dodecylthio)-l-(2,6,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexen-l-yl)-l- butanone, 3-(dodecylsulfonyl)-1-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl)butan-1-one, a linear polysiloxane co-polymer of (3-mercaptopropyl)(methyl)dimethoxysilane, 3- (dodecylthio)-l-(6-ethyl-2,6-dimethylcyclohex-3-en-l-yl)butan-l-one, 2-

[0063] (dodecylsulfonyl)octan-4-one, 4-oxooctan-2-yl dodecanoate, (2E,6Z)-2,6-nonadienyl hexadecanoate, (2E,6Z)-2,6-nonadien-1-yl tetradecanoate, (2E,6Z)-2,6-nonadien-1-yl dodecanoate, 3-methyl-5-phenylpentyl palmitate, ethyl 2-acetyl-4-methyl-2- tridecenoate, methyl or ethyl N,S-bis[4-oxo-4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-3-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2- butanyl]cysteinate, 4-(dodecylthio)-4-methyl-2-pentanone, 9-decen-l-yl (2E)-3-(2- hydroxyphenyl)acrylate, 3,5-bis(l-(4-isopropylphenyl)propan-2-yl)dihydro-lH,3H,5H- oxazolo[3,4-c]oxazole, 3,5-di(undecan-2-yl)dihydro-1H,3H,5H-oxazolo[3,4-c]oxazole, 3,5-bis(2,4-dimethylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl)dihydro-1H,3H,5H-oxazolo[3,4-c]oxazole, 1- butoxy-3-((lE,4Z)-hepta-l,4-dien-l-yl)benzene, 2-methoxy-4-((1E,4Z)-hepta-1,4-dien- 1-yl)phenol, 2-ethoxy-4-((1E,4Z)-hepta-1,4-dien-1-yl)phenol, 3-(dodecylthio)-2-methyl- 1-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl)butan-1-one, (2-((2-methyl-4-(2,6,6- trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)but-1-en-1-yl)oxy)ethyl)benzene, 1-methoxy-4-(2-methyl- 3-phenethoxyallyl)benzene,(2-((2-isopropyl-5- methylcyclohexylidene)methoxy)ethyl)benzene,2-ethoxy-l-((2-methoxy-2- phenylvinyl)oxy)-4-methylbenzene, l-isopropyl-2-((2-methoxy-2-phenylvinyl)oxy)-4- methylbenzene, 4-((2-(hexyloxy)-2-phenylvinyl)oxy)-3-methoxybenzaldehyde or a mixture thereof or a mixture thereof.

[0064] In an embodiment, the active material comprises a pro-fragrance triggered by exposure to light, air / oxygen, heat, moisture, enzymes, or any combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the active material comprises a pro-fragrance triggered by exposure to light, typically a pro-fragrance selected from the group consisting of 2- phenylethyl oxo(phenyl)acetate, 3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl oxo(phenyl)acetate, (Z)-hex-3-en-1-yl oxo(phenyl)acetate, and any combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the active material comprises 2-phenylethyl oxo(phenyl)acetate.

[0065] The proflavor can be chosen in the group consisting of: 1,1-diethoxyethane, 1- ethoxyethyl acetate, 5-(2-(1-ethoxyethoxy)propan-2-l)-2-methyl-2-vinyl- tetrahydrofuran, bis(l-ethoxyethyl) succinate, bis(l-ethoxyethyl) adipate, bis(l- ethoxyethyl) fumarate, bis(l-propoxyethyl) succinate, bis(l-propoxyethyl) adipate, bis(l- propoxyethyl) fumarate, bis(l-butoxyethyl) succinate, bis(l-butoxyethyl) adipate, bis(l- ethoxyethyl) malonate or bis(l-butoxyethyl) fumarate.

[0066] The delivery system of the present invention is particularly suitable to contain active material with low odor threshold.

[0067] Odor detection threshold, hereinafter referred to as ODT, gives a quantitative representation of minimum levels at which a human population detects a fragrance raw material. ODT is determined by several factors including the molecule's shape, polarity, partial charges, stereochemistry and molecular mass. ODT values can be measured by sensory studies or can be found in the literature.

[0068] According to an embodiment, the active material comprises at least one of raw material having an ODT (odor threshold) below 1 E-4pg / liter of air, preferably below 1E- 5pg / l iter of air, most preferred below lE-6pg / liter of air.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the concentration of the active material is comprised between 0.1% and 75%, preferably between 1 and 60%, based on the total weight of the delivery system. The delivery system of the present invention presents different advantages.

[0070] Firstly, a high surface area in the form of fibers or small particles can be achieved for rapid release, dissolution, reactivity of the active material(s), if the latter is desired.

[0071] Secondly, fibers have the additional advantage that they can be produced as a non-woven film that can be spun onto a support or can be a self-supporting film or sheet. An associated advantage is that the fibers can easily be transferred from the support or the self-supporting film or sheet onto a receiving substrate by simple mechanical means, such as tumbling the supported non-woven film with the receiving substrate.

[0072] Thirdly, in case of multilayered structure, limited undesirable reactivity with other ingredients can be achieved, since the presence of separate layers allows reactive ingredients to be separated from one another and also prevents segregation between separate ingredients ensuring correct dosing of actives.

[0073] Additional components

[0074] The delivery system of the present invention can include additional components such as an effervescent component, or gas releasing compound that could act as a foaming agent in a coffee application, for example, to create a desirable foam layer.

[0075] The delivery system of the present invention may optionally comprise artificial or natural coloring agents, including, for example caramel color, Red #40, Yellow #5, Yellow #6, Blue #1, Red #3, purple carrot, black carrot juice, purple sweet potato, vegetable juice, fruit juice, beta carotene, turmeric curcumin, butterfly pea flower extract, blue spirulina, phycocyanin extract; preservatives, including, for example sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, potassium sorbate, sodium metabisulfate, sorbic acid, or benzoic acid; antioxidants including, for example ascorbic acid, calcium disodium EDTA, alpha tocopherols, mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract, grape seed extract, resveratrol, or sodium hexametaphosphate; vitamins or functional ingredients including, for example resveratrol, Co-QIO, omega 3 fatty acids, theanine, choline chloride (citocoline), fibersol, inulin (chicory root), taurine, panax ginseng extract, guanana extract, ginger extract, L- phenylalanine, L-carnitine, L-tartrate, D-glucoronolactone, inositol, bioflavonoids, Echinacea, ginko biloba, yerba mate, flax seed oil, garcinia cambogia rind extract, white tea extract, ribose, milk thistle extract, grape seed extract, pyrodixine HCI (vitamin B6), cyanoobalamin (vitamin B12), niacinamide (vitamin B3), biotin, calcium lactate, calcium pantothenate (pantothenic acid), calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, chromium chloride, chromium polynicotinate, cupric sulfate, folic acid, ferric pyrophosphate, iron, magnesium lactate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, monopotassium phosphate, monosodium phosphate, phosphorus, potassium iodide, potassium phosphate, riboflavin, sodium sulfate, sodium gluconate, sodium polyphosphate, sodium bicarbonate, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin D3, vitamin A palmitate, zinc gluconate, zinc lactate, or zinc sulfate; clouding agents, including, for example ester gum, brominated vegetable oil (BVO), or sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB); buffers, including, for example sodium citrate, potassium citrate, and the like.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the delivery system of the present invention can be used in combination with other type of classical extruded or spray-dried delivery systems.

[0077] Process for preparing the delivery system

[0078] The delivery system according to the invention can be prepared by different methods.

[0079] Electrospinning

[0080] According to an embodiment, the delivery system is prepared by a spinning method conducted at room temperature, preferably by electrospinning.

[0081] Electrospinning is a fiber fabrication technique that applies a high voltage (typically 10-20kV) to a polymer solution resulting in the polymer solution to be drawn, jetted and stretched into very thin fibers that are dried and solidified onto a grounded collector plate typically at 10 cm away.

[0082] Electrospinning method presents different advantages. Indeed, it is a room temperature drying process making the process sustainable. Furthermore, as no heat is involved (like spray-drying or extrusion methods), heat sensitive active material can be embedded in the delivery system. The use of anhydrous based processing, is suitable for embedding of proflavors or profragances that are releasing through hydrolysis.

[0083] Moreover, a wide variety of active material can be embedded in the non-woven structure as a water-base or anhydrous base can be used.

[0084] In addition, unlike other room-temperature 'encapsulation' techniques such as plating, the active material can be truly protected since the evaporation of a solvent can 'trap' the active material in a suitable carrier.

[0085] According to an embodiment, the fibrous structure is prepared by electrospinning using a spinning solution containing an evaporative solvent, a spinnable polymer and the active material. Optionally, conductive agents, such as salts, can be added to ensure sufficient conductivity of the solution. A person skilled in the art can determine if these agents are needed or not. Finally, the viscosity can be tuned through proper formulation as well by a person skilled in the art to ensure proper spinning of the fibers.

[0086] Typically, the preparation of the delivery system, preferably of a single needle system, by electrospinning includes the following steps:

[0087] 1) dissolving a polymer with optionally an emulsifier into a solvent to prepare an electrospinning solution.

[0088] 2) loading the electrospinning solution into a syringe or pressurized bottle connected to an electrospinning device,

[0089] 3) starting the pumping of the solution and adjusting the voltage, typically between 5and 20 kV, and flow rate typically of 0.1-5 ml / hr.

[0090] 4) maintaining spinning conditions until sufficient fibrous material is collected.

[0091] According to an embodiment, the solvent is chosen in the group consisting of water or organic solvents such as: ethanol, ethyl acetate, acetone, alcohols, esters, carbonates or hydrocarbons. Binary solvents system of water and organic solvents in different ratios can be used. Ternary solvents system that are a combination of water with two other organic solvents can be also used. According to an embodiment, any emulsifier (natural or synthetic) can be used but is typically chosen from the group consisting of potato protein, canola protein, gum Arabic, modified food starches, pickering particles, and mixtures thereof.

[0092] The emulsifier is typically used in an amount comprised between 0.1 and 10% based on the total weight of the solution.

[0093] According to an embodiment, the conductivity of the solution is comprised between 0-1000 mS / m, preferably between 0.05- 30 mS / m.

[0094] According to an embodiment, the solution is an aqueous solution.

[0095] According to another embodiment, the solution is an anhydrous solution.

[0096] The ratio between the polymer and the solvent is typically comprised between 0.001 and 0.7, preferably between 0.01 and 0.5.

[0097] The ratio between the polymer and the solvent is typically comprised between 0.001 and 0.667, preferably between 0.01 and 0.428.

[0098] Electrospraying

[0099] Typically, the preparation of the delivery system by electrospraying includes the following steps:

[0100] 1) dissolving a polymer with optionally an emulsifier into a solvent to prepare an electrospraying solution.

[0101] 2) loading the electrospraying solution into a syringe or pressurized bottle connected to an electrosprayer,

[0102] 3) starting the pumping of the solution and adjusting the voltage, typically between 5 and 20kV, and flow rate, typically between 0.1 and 5ml / hr.

[0103] 4) maintaining spinning / spraying conditions until sufficient particular / fibrous material is collected.

[0104] Consumer products

[0105] Another object of the present invention is a consumer product, preferably a perfumed or a flavored consumer product comprising the delivery system according to the invention, preferably in an amount comprised between lOppm and 10%, based on the total weigh of the consumer product.

[0106] According to a particular embodiment, the consumer product consists of the delivery system according to the invention.

[0107] According to a particular embodiment, the delivery system is coated on the consumer product preferably by electrospinning.

[0108] Indeed, this invention is particularly suitable for waterless formats, such as pods, films, sachets, tablets, powder in which the formulation is electrospun directly onto the consumer product or its packaging, especially for beverages.

[0109] According to a particular embodiment, the consumer product is chosen in the group consisting of coffee filters, coffee pods, tea bags, tea pods, beverage pods, sachets for powdered beverage, oral freshening, whitening strips, oral cleaning products, filters, lozenges, tablets, confectionary products, food packaging, active food packaging, membranes, dryer sheets, sachet, wipes, personal hygiene products, sanitary pads, napkins, fibers, mats, laundry care (such as dryer sheets, fabric softener sheets, detergent sheets or sachets, scentboosters), home care products such as cleaning sheets, wiping sheets, or surface care products.

[0110] In an embodiment, the consumer product is in the form of a sheet comprising the delivery system described herein. Consumer products in sheet form comprising the delivery system described herein may be produced using methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the delivery system may be prepared as described herein, for instance, by electrospinning, directly on a suitable substrate, such as a foil or thermoplastic non-woven sheet. In another suitable example, the delivery system may be prepared as described herein, for instance, by electrospinning, separately on a sacrificial substrate, and then removed and adhered to a suitable substrate by known fusing methods.

[0111] Suitable thermoplastic non-woven sheets are well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Nonwoven sheets are understood as web structures that are bonded together by means other than weaving or knitting. In nonwovens, the entangling of fibers is achieved by mechanically and / or thermally fusing the fibers, or by means of chemically bonding the fibers. Generally, nonwovens are made by web formation followed by web bonding. Web formation may be achieved according to known methods, such as dry laid, wet laid, or polymer laid methods. Web bonding methods are well-known and include, for example, needle punching, stitch bonding, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, hydro entanglement, and the like. Such nonwoven sheets may optionally be finished, for example, by chemical, mechanical, and / or thermal finishing methods, to confer functional characteristics such as moisture content and transport, absorbency, repellency, flame retardancy, electric response, abrasion resistance, and friction behavior, among others, to the sheets. The fibers incorporated into nonwoven sheets are prepared from thermoplastic polymers, typically in pellet form, using any of a variety of processes known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, thermoplastic polymers may be melt extruded through a spinneret, quenched, and drawn into the vertical passage of a fiber draw unit. The parameters used in the melt extrusion step, such as extrusion temperature, type of die assembly, die tip geometry, mode of quenching, draw ratio, spinning speed, winding speed, and the like, may be determined by those of ordinary skill according to the type and size of fiber desired. Exemplary types of fibers formed include, but are not limited to, conventional fine denier fibers, continuous filament, bulked continuous filament, staple fiber, melt-blown fibers, and spunbonded fibers.

[0112] In an embodiment, the consumer product is a laundry care product, typically a dryer sheet, a fabric softener sheet, a detergent sheet, a sachets, or a scentbooster; or a home care product, typically a cleaning sheet or a wiping sheet.

[0113] The invention will now be further described by way of examples. It will be appreciated that the invention as claimed is not intended to be limited in any way by these examples.

[0114] EXAMPLES General Process for preparation of electrospinning formulation.

[0115] Each prototype formulation was electrospun on an Spraybase® 20 kV Electrospinning and Electrospraying Kit. The liquid formulation was made by mixing the solvent with the polymer with optionally an emulsifier on a stir plate with a magnetic stir bar at approximately 300 -700 rpm at 2O-8O°C for at least 30 minutes, or longer until complete dissolution had been achieved. The liquid was then cooled to room temperature after which the active (e.g. flavor, fragrance, proflavor, profragrance) was added and stirring or homogenization (ultra-turrax) was used to achieve good mixing or emulsification. The stated % of active is calculated on a total mass basis. For example, when 5% mint oil is used, this means that there are 5 parts of mint oil and 95 parts of the polymer / solvent solution.

[0116] General electrospinning procedure

[0117] The electrospinning solution was transferred to a syringe and inserted into the Spraybase® Syringe Pump. The syringe was connected to PTFE tubing with a metal hypodermic flat-pointed needle. The needle was electrically connected to the high voltage output of the instrument and was positioned at a fixed distance from the grounded collector. The collector plate was covered with aluminum foil or a tea-bag or similar material.

[0118] After the protective hood was closed, electrospinning was started by:

[0119] 1. Starting the syringe pump until liquid is seen slowly leaving the syringe tip

[0120] 2. Starting the Spraybase® Imaging System and IR Illumination Source to illuminate the needle tip and liquid drop

[0121] 3. Starting the electrical source and slowly increasing the voltage until a Taylor cone is observed

[0122] 4. Generally, after 5-30 minutes of electrospinning, the electrical source is stopped, the IR illumination is stopped and the syringe pump is stopped, and the cabinet is opened to retrieve the sample. Example 1

[0123] Standard procedure for the preparation of electrospinning formulation was followed at 80°C using a stir plate according to the formulations shown in the table below. The solution was cooled down and the active (5wt% Mint oil) was added and stirred using a stir plate.

[0124] Electrospinning was performed using the general electrospinning procedure described before with operating conditions indicated in the table below.

[0125] Table 1: Operating conditions (sample collection on tea bags using 5 wt% mint oil in 5% PVA solution)

[0126] PVA: 92-94% hydrolyzed, M.W. 146000-186000, CAS: 9002-89-5

[0127] Uncoated tea bag was electrospun according to the operating conditions mentioned in Table 1 (see Figures 1).

[0128] A fibrous electrospun material was adhered to the teabag, showing good deposition of the material onto the substrate (see Figures 2). Tea bag collected after electrospinning had a smell of mint oil and when dissolved in hot tea provided a mint aroma and cooling sensation to the standard tea preparation. Example 2

[0129] Standard procedure for the preparation of electrospinning formulation was followed at room temperature using a stir plate according to the formulations shown in the table below. The active was added to the solution and stirred using a stir plate.

[0130] Electrospinning was performed using the general electrospinning procedure described before with operating conditions indicated in the table below. Table 2: Operating conditions (sample collection on foil and tea bag using 25% Zein Solution w / 15% Mint Oil) Successful electrospinning creating thin fibers with large surface area (diameter << 5microns) has been observed (Figures 3 on foil and Figures 4 on tea bag). Sample collected smelled like mint.

[0131] Example 3

[0132] Standard procedure for the preparation of electrospinning formulation was followed at room temperature using a stir plate according to the formulations shown in the table below. The active was added and stirred using a stir plate. Anhydrous solvent ethyl acetate was chosen to prepare solution to avoid proflavor hydrolysis.

[0133] Electrospinning was performed using the general electrospinning procedure described before with operating conditions indicated in the table below.

[0134] Table 3: Operating conditions (ethyl cellulose / ethlyacetate / l-Ethoxyethyl Acetate) Example 4

[0135] Standard procedure for the preparation of electrospinning formulation was followed at room temperature using a stir plate according to the formulations shown in the table below. The solution was cooled down and the active was added and stirred using a stir plate.

[0136] Electrospinning was performed using the general electrospinning procedure described before with operating conditions indicated in the table below. Table 4: Operating conditions (PVA / Furfuryl Mercaptan)

[0137] Thin fibers were observed after spinning (see Figures 6). Obtained fibers had desirable and potent sulfury coffee notes. To evaluate the performance in coffee, 2.6 milligrams of electrospun material from example 4 were dissolved into a prepared Nespresso™ coffee (approx. 60 grams) and compared against 2 controls without added flavor. A triangle test was setup that showed that three panelist could unanimously pick out the correct sample with the added volatile sulfur compounds encapsulated and released from the electrospun fibers. This showed that sufficient dosage could be achieved by electrospinning and that dissolution was rapid and had the intended effect of flavoring the coffee with a volatile sulfur compound (Furfuryl Mercaptan) that is a desirable and key component of premium coffee. Example 5

[0138] The solution was prepared by first dissolving ethyl cellulose (Sigma- Aldrich, Cas No.: 9004-57-3) in ethyl acetate at 50 °C. The solution was cooled down to room temperature and 2-phenylethyl 2-oxo-2 phenylacetate was added and stirred until fully dissolved in the solution.

[0139] Electrospinning was performed using the general electrospinning procedure described before with operating conditions indicated in the table below.

[0140] Table 5: Operating conditions (ethyl cellulose / ethlyacetate / 2-phenylethyl 2-oxo-2 phenylacetate) The solution was electrospun on 6 aluminum disks and kept in a dark container. To evaluate the UV-triggered profragrance release, a triangle test was setup. Two of the electrospun disks were irradiated for 1 min under the UV lamp and separated into two groups (each included one UV irradiated disc and two unirradiated discs) for a triangle test involving 6 panelists; The result was that eleven out of twelve samples were correctly picked on the UV irradiated disks which released a rosy, honey-type of odor indicating characteristics of 2-phenylacetaldehyde released from pro-fragrance encapsulated in electrospun fibers (see figures 7).

[0141] Example 6

[0142] The transfer of the delivery system of the present disclosure from one substrate to another was evaluated in a fabric tumbling test. Several 1" by 1" cuts of synthetic fabric were placed into an 8oz glass jar with five aluminum swatches coated with the electrospun fibers containing 20% profragrance (2-phenylethyl 2-oxo-2 phenylacetate) by weight. The jar was sealed and placed into a covered shaker plate and left to spin at 300 rpm for 60 minutes to see if the tumbling action could promote attachment of electrospun fibers to the fabric. Afterwards, the fabric was removed and imaged by scanning electron microscopy. Figures 8a and 8b are scanning electron micrographs showing individual electrospun fibers transferred onto the synthetic fabric. Individual electrospun fibers can be seen embedded within the weave of the synthetic fabric, suggesting tumbling alone is enough to deposit fibers from a medium onto fabric. It was surprisingly observed that the electrospun fibers exhibited looping through the synthetic fabric fibers, which indicates good adherence to the fabric.

[0143] The observation that tumbling alone is enough to deposit the fibers of the delivery system described herein from a suitable substrate onto fabric can be applied to laundry care products such as dryer sheets, fabric softener sheets, detergent sheets, sachets, scentboosters, and the like, where facile delivery of an active agent, such as a profragrance, is desirable.

Claims

CLAIMS1- A delivery system comprising a non-woven fibrous structure and an active material.2- The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the non-woven fibrous structure comprises at least one fiber, and wherein the active material is embedded within said fiber.3- The delivery system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the active material is chosen in the group consisting of flavors, pro-flavors, fragrances, pro-fragrances, vitamins, minerals, nutraceuticals, malodor counteractant, cosmetics, pest control agents, biocide actives, and mixtures thereof.4- The delivery system according to claim 3, wherein the active material is a flavor or fragrance.5- The delivery system according to claim 3, wherein the active material is a proflavor or pro-fragrance.6- The delivery system according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the active material comprises at least one of raw material having an ODT (odor threshold) below IE- pg / liter of air, preferably below IE- 5pg / liter of air, most preferably below IE- 6pg / liter of air.7- The delivery system according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the concentration of the active material is comprised between 0.1% and 75%, preferably between 1 and 60%, based on the total weight of the delivery system.8- The delivery system according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the fibrous structure comprises a polymer chosen in the group consisting of synthetic polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyethylene oxide (PEO) or polycaprolactone (PCL); protein based biopolymers such as plant proteins or animal based proteins; carbohydrate-based biopolymers such as starch, ethyl cellulose, pullulan, xanthan, dextran, alginate, carrageenan, pectin, chitosan, and mixtures thereof.9- The delivery system according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the fibrous structure comprises at least one fibrous layer.10- The delivery system according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the fibrous structure comprises a fibrous multilayer.11- The delivery system according to claim 10, wherein a different active material is present in each layer of the fibrous multilayer.12- The delivery system according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the fibrous structure is prepared by a spinning method conducted at room temperature, preferably by electrospinning.13- The delivery system according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the fibrous structure is prepared by electrospinning using a spinning solution containing a solvent, a polymer and the active material.14-A consumer product, preferably a perfumed or a flavored consumer product comprising the delivery system according to anyone of claims 1 to 13.15- The consumer product according to claim 14, wherein it consists of the delivery system according to anyone of claims 1 to 13.16-The consumer product according to claim 14, wherein the delivery system is coated on the consumer product, preferably by electrospinning.17- The consumer product according to claim 14 to 16, wherein it is chosen in the group consisting of coffee filters, coffee pods, tea bags, tea pods, beverage pods, sachets for powdered beverage, oral freshening, whitening strips, oral cleaning products, filters, lozenges, tablets, confectionary products, food packaging, active food packaging, membranes, dryer sheets, sachet, wipes, personal hygiene products, sanitary pads, napkins, fibers, mats, laundry care, home care, surface care products.

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