Malodor counteracting compositions and method for their use

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of perfumery and more particularly to the field of malodor counteractancy. In particular, it relates to a malodor counteracting (MOC) compositions capable of neutralizing in an efficient manner, through chemical reactions, malodors of a large variety of origins and which can be encountered in the air, on textiles, bathroom or kitchen surfaces, and the like. The composition may be applied as is or in the form of a perfuming composition or in a consumer product or article containing the compound or perfume composition.

1 . A malodor counteracting (MOC) composition comprising the combination of at least one ingredient selected from Group (I) compounds, at least one ingredient selected from Group (II) compounds, and at least one ingredient selected from Group (III) compounds, wherein the Groups (1) to (III) compounds are defined as follows:
 a) Group (1): aldehydes of formula R 1 CHO, wherein R 1  is an aliphatic linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated carbon chain containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms;   b) Group (II): ketones of formula R 2 COR 3 , wherein R 2  is an ethyl or methyl group and R 3  is an aliphatic linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated carbon chain containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms; and   c) Group (III): primary alcohols of formula R 4 CH 2 OH, wherein R 4  is an aliphatic linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated carbon chain containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with an aromatic moiety.   
   
   
       2 . The MOC composition according to  claim 1 , consisting essentially of a mixture of at least one ingredient selected from Group (I) compounds, at least one ingredient selected from Group (II) compounds, and at least one ingredient selected from Group (III) compounds. 
   
   
       3 . The MOC composition according to  claim 1 , consisting of a mixture of at least one ingredient selected from Group (I) compounds, at least one ingredient selected from Group (II) compounds, and at least one ingredient selected from Group (III) compounds. 
   
   
       4 . The MOC composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the aldehyde is hexanal, decanal, octanal, nonanal, 9-undecenal, (+−)-2,6-dimethyl-5-heptenal or (Z)-4-dodecenal. 
   
   
       5 . The MOC composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the ketone is 2-octanone or 2-heptanone. 
   
   
       6 . The MOC composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the primary alcohol is decan-1-ol, hexan-1-ol, octan-1-ol, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol or benzylalcohol. 
   
   
       7 . The MOC composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the aldehyde is hexanal, the ketone is 2-octanone and the primary alcohol is hexan-1-ol. 
   
   
       8 . The MOC composition according to  claim 1 , comprising, as aldehydes of Group (I), compounds selected from at least two of the following sub-groups:
 Sub-group a): aldehydes consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 7  chain, optionally substituted with up to six carbon atoms;   Sub-group b): aldehydes consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 8  chain, optionally substituted with up to five carbon atoms;   Sub-group c): aldehydes consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 9  chain, optionally substituted with up to four carbon atoms;   Sub-group d): aldehydes consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 10  chain, optionally substituted with up to three carbon atoms;   Sub-group e): aldehydes consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 11  chain, optionally substituted with up to two carbon atoms; or   Sub-group f): aldehydes consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 12  chain, optionally substituted with one carbon atom.   
   
   
       9 . The MOC composition according to  claim 1 , comprising, as alcohols of Group (III), compounds selected from at least two of the following sub-groups:
 Sub-group g): alcohols consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 6  chain, optionally substituted with up to seven carbon atoms;   Sub-group h): alcohols consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 8  chain, optionally substituted with up to five carbon atoms; or   Sub-group i): alcohols consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 10  chain, optionally substituted with up to three carbon atoms.   
   
   
       10 . The MOC composition according to  claim 1 , comprising, as aldehydes of Group (I), compounds selected from at least two of the following sub-groups:
 Sub-group a): aldehydes consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 7  chain, optionally substituted with up to six carbon atoms;   Sub-group b): aldehydes consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 8  chain, optionally substituted with up to five carbon atoms;   Sub-group c): aldehydes consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 9  chain, optionally substituted with up to four carbon atoms;   Sub-group d): aldehydes consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 10  chain, optionally substituted with up to three carbon atoms;   Sub-group e): aldehydes consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 11  chain, optionally substituted with up to two carbon atoms; or   Sub-group f): aldehydes consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 12  chain, optionally substituted with one carbon atom; and   as alcohols of Group (III), compounds selected from at least two of the following sub-groups:   Sub-group g): alcohols consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 6  chain, optionally substituted with up to seven carbon atoms;   Sub-group h): alcohols consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 8  chain, optionally substituted with up to five carbon atoms; or   Sub-group i): alcohols consisting of a linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic C 10  chain, optionally substituted with up to three carbon atoms.   
   
   
       11 . The MOC composition according to  claim 1 , wherein each ingredient is characterized by a vapor pressure above 0.03 mmHg, as calculated in Pa using the software EPIwin v. 3.10 ( 2000 , available at the US Environmental Protection Agency) and then converted to mmHg. 
   
   
       12 . The MOC composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the aldehyde of Group (I) is present in a concentration comprised between 55 and 60% by weight, the ketone of Group (II) is present in a concentration comprised between 20 and 25% by weight and the primary alcohol of Group (III) is present in a concentration comprised between 20 and 25% by weight, all concentrations being relative to the total weight of the composition. 
   
   
       13 . A perfuming composition comprising:
 i) a MOC composition according to  claim 1 ;   ii) at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of a perfumery base and a perfumery carrier; and   iii) optionally at least one perfumery adjuvant.   
   
   
       14 . A consumer article or product comprising:
 i) a MOC composition according to  claim 1 ; and   ii) a consumer product base.   
   
   
       15 . A consumer article or product according to  claim 14 , in the form of a deodorant or antiperspirant, an air freshener or a fabric softener or refresher. 
   
   
       16 . A consumer article or product, comprising:
 i) a perfuming composition according to  claim 13 ; and   ii) a consumer product base.   
   
   
       17 . A consumer article or product according to  claim 16 , in the form of a deodorant or antiperspirant, an air freshener or a fabric softener or refresher. 
   
   
       18 . A method to counteract malodors, which comprises applying to a closed space, or a surface intended to be deodorized or freshened, a MOC composition according to  claim 1  in an amount sufficient to reduce, mask, eliminate or prevent malodor perception from the closed space or surface. 
   
   
       19 . A method to counteract malodors, which comprises applying to a closed space, or a surface intended to be deodorized or freshened, a perfuming composition according to claim containing the MOC composition in an amount sufficient to reduce, mask, eliminate or prevent malodor perception from the closed space or surface. 
   
   
       20 . A method to counteract malodors, which comprises applying to a closed space, or a surface intended to be deodorized or freshened, a consumer article or product according to  claim 14  containing the MOC composition in an amount sufficient to reduce, mask, eliminate or prevent malodor perception from the closed space or surface. 
   
   
       21 . A method to counteract malodors, which comprises applying to a closed space, or a surface intended to be deodorized or freshened, a consumer article or product according to  claim 16  containing the MOC composition in an amount sufficient to reduce, mask, eliminate or prevent malodor perception from the closed space or surface.