Malodor Binding Polymer Composition for Fabric-Safe Odor Neutralization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current freshening compositions fail to effectively neutralize a broad range of malodors on fabrics and in the air, often causing staining or soiling, particularly when containing aldehydes and surfactants.

Innovation Solution

A freshening composition comprising a malodor binding polymer, a malodor counteractant, a dicarboxylic acid, and an aqueous carrier, designed to be free of materials that soil or stain fabrics, with a pH buffering agent to maintain a pH of 6 to 8, effectively neutralizing malodors through chemical reaction or physical entrapment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If freshening compositions contain aldehydes and surfactants to mask odors, then odor masking effect is improved, but fabric staining and soiling occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveodor masking effectVSAvoidfabric staining and soiling

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the freshening composition by replacing aldehydes and surfactants with polymers having specific functional groups (amines, carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids, phosphonic acids) and controlling pH levels, thereby achieving odor neutralization without fabric staining

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of odorous substances into a beneficial neutralization reaction by using polymers with functional groups that chemically react with malodor molecules, transforming the harmful odor into harmless reaction products while avoiding fabric staining

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 achieves genuine malodor reduction, suppressing the volatility of malodorous components and physically entrapping odors, thereby preventing them from re-releasing into the air, while maintaining fabric safety and preventing staining.

Implementation Method 1

neutralize malodors through chemical reaction or physical entrapment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

physically entrapping odors, thereby preventing them from re-releasing into the air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical entrapment: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a buffering agent providing a pH of about 6 to about 8

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectpH buffering:

Data Source

PatentUS9273427B2Freshening compositions comprising malodor binding polymers

Publication Date: 2016.03.01 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

Freshening compositions comprising a malodor binding polymer 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. In some embodiments, the freshening composition includes a buffering agent providing a pH of about 6 to about 8. Such freshening compositions may be used to reduce malodor and/or microbes on inanimate surfaces or in the air.