Antimicrobial Composition Thymol Terpineol Rapid Action

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antimicrobial compositions, such as those containing chlorine-based agents like triclosan, require long contact times for effective action, making them inadequate for quick cleaning applications, particularly in personal hygiene and hard surface cleaning where users often have limited exposure times, leading to inadequate bacterial removal and potential disease spread.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising 0.01 to 5% by weight thymol and 0.01 to 5% by weight terpineol, combined with a carrier, provides rapid antimicrobial action, effective within short contact times of less than 5 minutes, preferably less than 2 minutes, and in some cases as short as 15 seconds, when used in combination with a surfactant for enhanced microbial reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional chlorine-based antimicrobial agents like triclosan are used, then antimicrobial action is achieved, but contact time must be rather long which reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial actionVSAvoidcleaning speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using a eucalyptus oil distillate with specific chemical characteristics (70-90% eucalyptol, 5-15% terpineol, 2-10% cineole) to achieve rapid antimicrobial action within 30 seconds to 5 minutes, dramatically reducing the contact time required compared to traditional agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a naturally derived, biodegradable essential oil distillate that acts quickly and can be rinsed off, replacing persistent synthetic antimicrobials with a short-acting natural alternative that achieves its purpose rapidly without long residence time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Productivity

If users spend short time cleaning (less than 5 minutes), then productivity is improved, but antimicrobial action becomes inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning timeVSAvoidbacterial removal efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the kinetic parameter of antimicrobial action by formulating a composition that achieves 99.9% bacterial kill within 30 seconds to 5 minutes, enabling effective disinfection to occur within the brief timeframes users actually spend on cleaning tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If high concentration of antimicrobial agents is used, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but cost and potential harm increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial efficacyVSAvoidskin irritation and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a natural essential oil distillate that is biodegradable and can be safely rinsed off, providing high antimicrobial efficacy without the accumulation concerns of persistent synthetic agents, reducing both environmental harm and potential skin irritation from residue buildup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the typically problematic property of essential oils (potential skin irritation at high concentrations) into a benefit by using the naturally occurring, biodegradable nature of eucalyptus oil distillate to provide rapid action that can be quickly rinsed away, preventing irritation while maintaining efficacy

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 combination of thymol and terpineol in the antimicrobial composition achieves synergistic antimicrobial action, significantly reducing microbial counts on surfaces and providing continued protection against microbial growth, even after brief exposure, thereby addressing the limitations of slow-acting antimicrobial agents in quick cleaning scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

The combination of thymol and terpineol in the antimicrobial composition achieves synergistic antimicrobial action, significantly reducing microbial counts on surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSynergistic antimicrobial action:

Implementation Method 2

providing continued protection against microbial growth, even after brief exposure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectContinued protection:

Data Source

PatentUS8945596B2Antimicrobial composition

Publication Date: 2015.02.03 CONOPCO INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to an antimicrobial composition. It particularly relates to an antimicrobial composition for cleansing or personal care. It is an object of the present invention to provide antimicrobial compositions that have relatively fast antimicrobial action. Present inventors have surprisingly found that compositions comprising selected ingredients, namely thymol and terpineol, in selective proportions provide relatively quick antimicrobial action.