Solid air freshener

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10912853-B2
Application number	US-201816233298-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 27, 2018
Priority date	Nov 22, 2011
Publication date	Feb 9, 2021
Grant date	Feb 9, 2021

Abstract

The present invention relates to a solid pressed air freshener and odor neutralizer composition which can include greater than 10% fragrance. The air freshener comprises a fragrance; preferably the fragrance is impregnated within a water soluble substrate made from a foamed vegetable starch, a surfactant and a solidifier. The solid formulations break down easily in the presence of water and may be sprayed, within the area to be freshened.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of making a solid air freshener comprising the steps of:
combining a starch based fragrance component, a solidifier and a surfactant, wherein said surfactant and solidifier are in a ratio of greater than 1:1 on a percent weight basis; and
compressing said components to form a solid,
wherein said fragrance component, solidifier and said surfactant are held together not by solidification from a melt but by binding through compression.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said air freshener comprises greater than 10% fragrance.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising a disintegration aid.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the surfactant is a polyethylene oxide surfactant.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said polyethylene oxide surfactant is has a melting point greater than 30° C.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said surfactant is a C8 to C24 alcohol with from about 20-40 moles of ethoxylate.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the surfactant is sodium lauryl sulfate.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said solidifier is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 4000.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said starch fragrance component is present in an amount of from about 35-60 wt. %.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant is present in an amount of from about 20-50 wt. %.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said solidifier is present in an amount of from about 15-40 wt. %.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said compression produces a stable solid with reduced leaching of fragrance.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said air freshener is stable under a range of temperatures, formed a clear use solution upon disintegration, and did not have significant fragrance weep.

14. A method of deodorizing/freshening a surface, bounded volume of air, or environment, comprising:
obtaining a pressed solid air freshener composition comprising a fragrance component of from about 40-80 wt. %, a surfactant of from about 20-50 wt. %, and a solidifier of from about 15-40 wt. % wherein, said fragrance component comprises up to about 30% by weight of fragrance, and wherein said fragrance component and said surfactant are held together not by solidification from a melt but by binding through compression;
dissolving the solid pressed air freshener to form a liquid composition; and
applying the liquid composition to the surface, bounded volume of air, or environment to eliminate or attenuate odors.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the applying a predetermined concentration of the liquid composition for eliminating or attenuating odors.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said dissolving is by:
applying water to the solid pressed air freshener so that the air freshener becomes dissolved to form the liquid composition.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said dissolving occurs within a spray bottle.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:
directing a spray trigger nozzle generally at the surface, bounded volume of air, or environment, and spraying the liquid composition from the spray bottle.

Assignees

• Ecolab Usa Inc

Inventors

• Blattner Amanda Ruth
• Hodge Charles Allen
• Kohnke Timothy John
• Levitt Mark Dennis
• Marquardt Julie E

Classifications

• B05B11/1011

  without substantial movement of the nozzle in the direction of the pressure stroke · CPC title

• A61L9/042 Primary

  with the help of a macromolecular compound as a carrier or diluent (A61L9/048 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61L9/048

  air treating gels · CPC title

• A61L9/05

  specially adapted to be released by contact with a liquid, e.g. for toilets · CPC title

• B05B7/2408

  characterised by the container or its attachment means to the spray apparatus · CPC title