Use of essential oils for reducing or preventing malodor in fabrics, textiles or clothing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for reducing textile malodor, such as deodorants, often rely on synthetic antimicrobials that can disrupt the skin microbiome, lead to antimicrobial resistance, and provide only temporary relief, while natural alternatives are sought for their cosmetic and environmental benefits.

Innovation Solution

The use of micro-encapsulated essential oils, such as those from Melaleuca alternifolia, Lavandula officinalis, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Cymbopogon flexuosus, in the form of nanoparticles or nano capsules, which are applied to fabrics to inhibit bacterial growth and release a natural fragrance, thereby reducing malodor formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If synthetic antimicrobials are used to reduce textile malodor, then bacterial growth is inhibited and odor reduction is achieved, but the skin microbiome is disrupted and antimicrobial resistance develops

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveodor reduction effectivenessVSAvoidmicrobiome disruption and antimicrobial resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the antimicrobial agent by using essential oils (natural compounds) instead of synthetic antimicrobials. This parameter change maintains the antibacterial effect while eliminating the harmful side effects on the microbiome and antimicrobial resistance development.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses essential oils that can be easily washed away with each laundry cycle, rather than persistent synthetic antimicrobials. This allows the natural antimicrobial action during wear while avoiding long-term accumulation and microbiome disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If deodorants are applied to mask malodor, then odor perception is reduced temporarily, but the effect is short-lived and requires frequent reapplication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemalodor perceptionVSAvoidodor protection duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies essential oils to the fabric before use, allowing the antimicrobial action to occur in advance during washing and wearing. This preliminary application ensures odor prevention rather than just temporary masking, with effects lasting through multiple wear cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous antimicrobial protection by incorporating essential oils into the fabric treatment that releases action throughout the wearing period and survives multiple wash cycles, providing uninterrupted odor protection rather than intermittent masking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If essential oils are used to reduce malodor naturally, then cosmetic and environmental benefits are achieved, but the antimicrobial effectiveness and durability on fabrics need enhancement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobiome safety and environmental impactVSAvoidantimicrobial effectiveness and durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite treatment by combining essential oils with fabric softener or detergent formulations. This composite approach enhances the durability and effectiveness of the essential oils on fabric while maintaining their natural, microbiome-safe properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the detergent or fabric softener formulation as a carrier vehicle that delivers and retains essential oils on the fabric surface. This thin film carrier enhances the durability of essential oils through wash cycles while maintaining their natural antimicrobial properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 micro-encapsulated essential oils effectively inhibit bacterial growth on textiles, providing long-lasting odor reduction and cosmetic benefits without skin irritation or fabric damage, as demonstrated by significant improvements in hedonic value and bacterial load reduction.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial action:

Implementation Method 2

release a natural fragrance, thereby reducing malodor formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFragrance release:

Implementation Method 3

Deodorants contain perfumes, to mask the malodor production

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOdor masking:

Data Source

PatentUS20230348819A1Use of essential oils for reducing or preventing malodor in fabrics, textiles or clothing

Publication Date: 2023.11.02 LAB VISTOBIO LTDA

AI summary

The present invention relates to the field of reducing clothing malodor which is due to bacterial conversion of molecules which are present in sweat. The present invention discloses micro-encapsulated essential oils that reduces malodor on clothes in a durable way. The compounds of the present invention can thus be used in clothing sprays, clothing finishing agents, deodorants, washing powders, or in any method to reduce laundry malodor.