Malodor-Binding Freshening Composition Without Fabric Yellowing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current freshening compositions do not effectively neutralize a broad range of malodors on fabrics and in the air, and may cause fabrics to yellow or become susceptible to soiling, particularly those containing certain aldehydes and surfactants.

Innovation Solution

A freshening composition comprising a malodor binding polymer, such as homopolymeric polyethyleneimine, an aliphatic aldehyde, and an aqueous carrier, with a pH buffering agent, that is essentially free of materials that would soil or stain fabric, effectively neutralizes malodors by chemically reacting or physically entrapping odor molecules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If freshening compositions contain certain types or amounts of aldehydes and surfactants, then malodor neutralization is improved, but fabric yellowing and soiling susceptibility increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemalodor neutralizationVSAvoidfabric yellowing and soiling

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using specific aliphatic aldehydes (C6-C12) with controlled chain lengths and saturation levels, combined with nonionic surfactants having specific HLB values, to achieve effective malodor neutralization while minimizing fabric discoloration and soiling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite formulation system combining malodor binding polymers, aliphatic aldehydes, nonionic surfactants, and aqueous carriers in specific ratios, where each component works synergistically to neutralize malodors while the nonionic surfactant and polymer matrix prevent fabric soiling and yellowing

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

The composition provides genuine malodor reduction, suppressing the volatility of malodorous components and physically entrapping odors, thereby neutralizing a broad range of malodors without causing fabric discoloration or soiling, as demonstrated by reduced aldehydic malodor evaporation and microbial reduction on treated surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

physically entrapping odors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical entrapment: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

chemically reacting or physically entrapping odor molecules

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

malodor counteractant comprising at least one aliphatic aldehyde

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS9260817B2Freshening compositions comprising malodor binding polymers and malodor counteractants

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

Freshening compositions comprising a malodor binding polymer, a malodor counteractant comprising at least one aliphatic aldehyde, and an aqueous carrier, wherein the composition is essentially free of any material that would soil or stain fabric; and methods thereof are provided. In some embodiments, the malodor binding polymer comprises a homopolymeric polyethylenimine having a molecular weight of about 1,000 to about 2,000,000. Such freshening compositions may be used to reduce malodor and/or microbes on inanimate surfaces or in the air.