Volatile Carbonyl Surface Deodorization for Secondary Malodor Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air freshening products are ineffective in preventing secondary malodor sources from releasing malodors into the air and often have negative side effects when applied directly to surfaces, such as staining or overwhelming scents.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus using a volatile carbonyl containing compound with a vapor pressure of at least 0.025 torr at 25 degrees Celsius, which vaporizes and deposits on surfaces to undergo nucleophilic addition with malodor containing compounds like amines and thiols, neutralizing them and preventing re-emission into the air.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If air freshening products are applied directly to surfaces to prevent malodor release, then malodor reduction effectiveness is improved, but harmful side effects such as staining and fabric damage occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemalodor reduction effectivenessVSAvoidstaining and fabric damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses volatile carbonyl compounds as intermediary substances that mediate between the air freshening function and the surface material. These compounds vaporize and react with malodor molecules in the air phase rather than requiring direct application to the surface, thus preventing both malodor release and surface damage while achieving effective malodor reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical application method (direct spraying or wiping of air freshening products onto surfaces) with a vapor-phase chemical reaction system. The volatile carbonyl compounds vaporize and undergo nucleophilic addition reactions with malodor molecules in the air, eliminating the need for direct surface contact and thereby preventing staining and fabric damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If high concentration air freshening products are used to mask malodors, then malodor masking effectiveness is improved, but overwhelming scents and negative side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemalodor masking effectivenessVSAvoidoverwhelming scents

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful high concentration of air freshening compounds into a beneficial low concentration vapor phase system. The volatile carbonyl compounds are used at low concentrations that vaporize to provide continuous malodor neutralization through chemical reaction, transforming the harm of high concentration application into the benefit of sustained low concentration effectiveness without overwhelming scents

Inventive Principle:

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

3Duration of action of moving object

If known air freshening products are used to mask malodors, then temporary odor coverage is improved, but inability to prevent secondary malodor release occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemporary odor coverage durationVSAvoidprevention of secondary malodor release

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the air freshening mechanism from physical masking to chemical neutralization. By using volatile carbonyl compounds that undergo nucleophilic addition reactions with malodor molecules, the system transforms temporary odor coverage into sustained malodor prevention, effectively stopping secondary malodor release while maintaining continuous effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by having volatile carbonyl compounds continuously vaporize and react with malodor molecules before they can be released from secondary sources. This proactive chemical neutralization prevents malodor release at the source rather than merely masking it after release, providing both temporary coverage and long-term prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method effectively reduces malodors on surfaces by neutralizing malodor compounds, preventing them from becoming secondary sources and eliminating lingering odors in enclosed spaces without the need for energy sources or aerosol delivery.

Implementation Method 1

the volatile carbonyl containing compound vaporises and deposits on at least a portion of the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

the volatile carbonyl containing compound undergoes a nucleophilic addition in the presence of the malodor containing compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNucleophilic addition: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11938242B2Apparatus and method for reducing malodor on surfaces

Publication Date: 2024.03.26 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A method of reducing malodor on surfaces including providing an apparatus in an environment including a surface wherein the surface has a malodor containing compound selected from: amine-containing compound and thiol-containing compound. The apparatus includes a volatile material having a volatile carbonyl containing compound. The volatile material is exposed to the environment such that the volatile carbonyl containing compound vaporises and deposits on the surface. The carbonyl containing compound undergoes a nucleophilic addition in the presence of the malodor containing compound.