Low Vapor Pressure Solvents for Controlled Fragrance Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fragrance compositions for air care devices face challenges due to uncontrolled 'distillation' of fragrance components, regulatory issues with high vapor pressure VOCs, and the need for solvents/carriers that offer controlled evaporation rates and are environmentally friendly.

Innovation Solution

The use of alkyl-4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane molecules or their esters as solvents/carriers in fragrance compositions, which provide a low odor, controlled evaporation profile, and are synthesized from renewable sources, thereby addressing the regulatory concerns and ensuring a consistent fragrance delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If high vapor pressure VOCs (e.g., glycol ethers) are used as carriers in air care devices, then the fragrance components are well-distributed and evaporate uniformly, but the composition suffers from uncontrolled distillation, variable fragrance profile, and regulatory compliance issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefragrance profile consistencyVSAvoiduncontrolled distillation and regulatory compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the vapor pressure parameter of the carrier by selecting compounds with specific vapor pressure ranges (0.01-10 mmHg at 25°C), thereby controlling the evaporation rate and preventing uncontrolled distillation while maintaining fragrance profile consistency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional glycol ether carriers with low vapor pressure VOCs that have limited evaporation rates, effectively creating a controlled-release system that maintains stable fragrance delivery over time without the harmful uncontrolled distillation effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Productivity

If solvents with low evaporation rate (e.g., Dowanol DPMA) are used, then the fragrance composition weight loss is controlled, but the solvent odor competes with the fragrance and the evaporation rate is too slow for effective distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefragrance distribution effectivenessVSAvoidsolvent odor interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selects specific low vapor pressure VOC compounds that have low or pleasant odors (unlike Dowanol DPMA), thereby locally optimizing the odor property of the carrier while maintaining the desired low evaporation rate for controlled fragrance release

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the evaporation rate parameter to a specific range (0.1-3.0 g/day weight loss) that balances effective fragrance distribution with controlled release, avoiding both too-fast and too-slow evaporation extremes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If traditional petrochemical-based carriers are used, then the fragrance composition achieves good evaporation and distribution, but the composition fails to meet environmental regulations and has poor safety characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefragrance evaporation and distributionVSAvoidregulatory compliance and safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces petrochemical-based carriers with low vapor pressure VOCs derived from renewable sources, thereby achieving both environmental compliance and effective fragrance delivery through controlled evaporation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite fragrance composition integrating low vapor pressure VOCs from renewable sources with fragrance compounds, achieving a harmonious blend that satisfies both regulatory requirements and performance criteria

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

This solution results in fragrance compositions that maintain a consistent fragrance profile over time, comply with stringent environmental regulations, and offer a controlled evaporation rate, ensuring effective fragrance distribution in air care devices.

Implementation Method 1

The use of alkyl-4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane molecules or esters thereof as solvent or carrier in combination with a fragrance component allows to maintain the volatility of such a fragrance compound so that the composition performs properly in an electrical liquid air freshener device or in a wick device like a reed diffuser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

allows to maintain the volatility of such a fragrance compound so that the composition performs properly in an electrical liquid air freshener device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVolatility control: Vapour Pressure

Data Source

PatentEP3250242B1Fragrance compositions and air care devices

Publication Date: 2025.04.16 RHODIA BRASIL SA

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AI summary

A fragrance composition comprises a fragrance compound and a solvent or carrier, wherein at least 10% by weight based on the total weight of solvent and carrier of the fragrance composition is one or more specific low vapor pressure volatile organic compound. The fragrance composition is particularly well adapted to air care devices like wicking or electrical systems.