Antimicrobial Composition for Continuous Headspace Release

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for inhibiting microbial growth in interior spaces are either harsh or provide only temporary effectiveness, and there is a need for products that can continuously or intermittently release antimicrobial compounds with a pleasing fragrance.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising allyl isothiocyanate, citral, thymol, linalool, terpineol, eugenol, or a combination of these, along with a fragrance and optionally an emulsifier, is used to provide an effective microbial inhibitory headspace concentration. This composition can be incorporated into an apparatus configured to deliver these compounds into the atmosphere.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If harsh antimicrobial agents are used to inhibit microbial growth, then microbial inhibition effectiveness is improved, but safety and pleasantness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial inhibition effectivenessVSAvoidsafety and pleasantness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using natural compounds (allyl isothiocyanate, citral, thymol, linalool, terpineol, eugenol) instead of harsh synthetic antimicrobials. These compounds achieve microbial inhibition through their natural biochemical properties while maintaining safety and pleasant fragrance characteristics, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and safety/pleasantness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs volatile natural compounds that evaporate and release antimicrobial agents into the headspace environment. These compounds work effectively during their volatile phase and then dissipate, avoiding accumulation of harsh residues, thereby maintaining both microbial inhibition effectiveness and safety/pleasantness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If temporary antimicrobial solutions are applied, then immediate effectiveness is achieved, but duration of action deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmediate effectivenessVSAvoidduration of antimicrobial effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves continuous antimicrobial action through sustained headspace release of volatile compounds. The composition maintains effective concentrations in the headspace over extended periods, providing both immediate effectiveness upon application and prolonged duration of action as the compounds continuously evaporate and inhibit microbial growth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The volatile compounds naturally cycle between liquid and vapor phases, creating periodic release patterns that maintain antimicrobial pressure on microorganisms over time, thereby extending the duration of effective action while maintaining immediate effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If antimicrobial compounds are released into the atmosphere, then microbial inhibition is improved, but fragrance quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial inhibitionVSAvoidfragrance quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single composition: the volatile compounds serve both as antimicrobial agents that inhibit microbial growth and as fragrance components that provide pleasant scents. This combination eliminates the need to choose between microbial inhibition and fragrance quality, as both functions are achieved simultaneously by the same compounds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The natural volatile compounds exhibit multi-functionality by simultaneously acting as antimicrobial agents, fragrance agents, and headspace delivery vehicles. This universal application resolves the contradiction by making the antimicrobial action and fragrance quality complementary rather than competing functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition effectively inhibits microbial growth by disrupting microbial enzymes and metabolic functions, providing a continuous or intermittent antimicrobial effect while also offering a pleasant fragrance.

Implementation Method 1

provide an effective microbial inhibitory headspace concentration of allyl isothiocyanate, citral, thymol, linalool, terpineol, eugenol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

The composition effectively inhibits microbial growth by disrupting microbial enzymes and metabolic functions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzyme disruption: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentUS20250073367A1Compositions providing an effective microbial inhibitory concentrations of antimicrobial compounds

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 SC JOHNSON & SON INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to compositions and associated apparatuses that provide an effective microbial inhibitory headspace concentration of allyl isothiocyanate, citral, thymol, linalool, terpincol, eugenol, or a combination of any two or more thereof.