Malodor Reduction in Air Care via Lauryl Methacrylate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current air care products often fail to completely eliminate malodors, relying on masking scented perfumes that lose potency over time, leaving residual malodor issues in various environments such as kitchens, bathrooms, and offices.

Innovation Solution

The use of a composition combining lauryl methacrylate as a malodor reducing component with freshening fragrance components, including volatile aldehydes, esters, and alcohols, which chemically neutralize and mask malodors, providing sustained odor reduction and freshness in air care products like reed diffusers, scented candles, and sprays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If scented perfumes are used to mask malodors, then the freshening effect is improved, but the malodor reduction effectiveness deteriorates over time as the perfume potency wears off

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefreshening effectVSAvoidmalodor reduction effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the air care function into two distinct components: a malodor active ingredient (such as zinc ricinoleate, zinc stearate, or other metal soaps) for eliminating malodors, and a separate scented perfume for providing freshening effect. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently and continuously, rather than relying on a single masking perfume that depletes over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The composition combines multiple functional ingredients into a single air care product: the malodor active ingredient provides continuous malodor reduction through chemical neutralization, while the scented perfume simultaneously provides freshening and masking effects. This multi-functional composition ensures both malodor control and fresh scent are maintained throughout the product's lifespan.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If malodor active ingredients are used to reduce malodors, then the malodor elimination capability is improved, but the fragrance strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemalodor elimination capabilityVSAvoidfragrance strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the malodor active ingredient and scented perfume into a single integrated composition where both components work together. The malodor active ingredient (e.g., zinc ricinoleate at 0.1-10% or zinc stearate at 0.1-10%) provides chemical neutralization of malodors, while the scented perfume (at 0.1-20%) provides fragrance strength and freshening effect. The synergistic combination ensures that malodor elimination and fragrance strength are both maintained without one compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If common perfume ingredients are used with dual function (masking and malodor reduction), then the product complexity is reduced, but the malodor reduction effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct formulation complexityVSAvoidmalodor reduction effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by selecting specific malodor active ingredients with proven effectiveness against particular malodor types. Different metal soaps (zinc ricinoleate, zinc stearate, calcium ricinoleate, etc.) are chosen based on their specific affinity for neutralizing different malodor molecules. This targeted approach ensures high malodor reduction effectiveness while maintaining relatively simple product formulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 combination significantly reduces perceived malodor by 50-72% while maintaining fragrance strength, offering a long-lasting solution for malodor control in different settings, as demonstrated by sensory panel assessments.

Implementation Method 1

lauryl methacrylate and one or several freshening fragrance components... chemically neutralize and mask malodors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical neutralization: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

freshening fragrance components, including volatile aldehydes, esters, and alcohols

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3634503B1Malodor reduction in air care applications
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 AGILEX FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES INC
  • EP3634503B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3634503B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3634503B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed in certain aspects are compositions for malodor reduction in various air care applications.