EP4426808A1

EP4426808A1 - Hygiene composition for reduction of malodour

Info

Publication number: EP4426808A1
Application number: EP22813478.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Samiran Mahapatra; Namisha MOHAPATRA; Ramya SAMPATH KUMAR
Original assignee: Unilever Global IP Ltd; Unilever IP Holdings BV
Current assignee: Unilever Global IP Ltd; Unilever IP Holdings BV
Priority date: 2021-11-03
Filing date: 2022-11-02
Publication date: 2024-09-11
Also published as: ZA202402739B; WO2023078894A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition that is used to reduce malodour on surfaces particularly inanimate soft surfaces like those of fabric, and hard surfaces like those on utensils, furniture, floors, walls, and on toilets such that they remain fresh and free of malodours for long time after the surface is cleaned with the composition. The composition is also useful for application on bodily surfaces eg. the underarm region to get antimalodour benefit. This is achieved through a composition that includes an aluminium, zirconium or mixed aluminium/zirconium halohydrate along with a polysaccharide selected from one or both of pectin and algin.

Description

HYGIENE COMPOSITION FOR REDUCTION OF MALODOUR

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a composition that is used to reduce malodour on surfaces. Particularly, the present invention relates to a hygiene composition that ensures that soft surfaces like those of fabric, and hard surfaces like those on utensils, furniture, floors, walls, and on toilets remain fresh and free of malodour for a long time after the surface is cleaned with the composition. The composition is also useful for application on bodily surfaces eg. the underarm region to get deodourant benefits.

Background of the Invention

Washing fabrics, which have soft surfaces, also known as laundering or simply as laundry is a daily chore for most people. Typically, a fabric is washed by contacting it with a detergent composition either in neat or diluted form, rinsing the fabric one or more times with water; and finally, drying it. In the washing step, the fabric is cleaned by mechanically agitating it using hands and/or by using suitable cleaning means e.g. a brush, in so-called hand-wash method. Alternatively, in so-called machine-wash method, a fabric is cleaned by mechanical agitation carried out by a machine. After the wash step involving a detergent composition, the fabric is rinsed free off the composition using copious amounts of water, two or three time. The step of drying may also be carried out by using machines; or simply by exposing the fabric to air, and if possible, under the sun. In spite of using good detergent compositions and sufficient drying, fabric at the end of the process often remains with a dank odour. It is observed that the quality of water e.g. hard water has a significant effect on the odour of the fabric washed in it.

Hard surface cleaning is also important for people inhabiting homes and using other common spaces like offices, restaurants, hotels and public places like bus and train stations and airports. Such cleaning generally involves using a cleaning composition that is diluted with water before use. Horizontal surfaces are cleaned by applying the diluted composition. They may then be left to air dry or are wiped dry with a clean cloth or mop. Vertical surfaces may be similarly cleaned by spraying the composition on to the surface followed optionally by wiping. Hard surfaces in such places include utensils which may be made of steel, ceramic, glass etc. Other important hard surfaces in such places include floors, walls, windows, kitchen platforms, and furniture among others. Such places also, often leave an unpleasant odour after the step of cleaning, in spite of them having very good perfumes included therein. Toilets and bathrooms are places which especially require very frequent cleaning and disinfection as they are places for excrement and personal cleansing. Toilet cleaners include harsher chemicals like bleaches and strong antimicrobial actives which are often not liked by many consumers.

Personal hygiene is also very important for people and one of the negative indicators is bodily malodour. In humans, the skin of underarm provides a unique niche for bacteria. Through the secretions of various glands that open onto skin, the environment is nutrient rich and hosts a unique microbial community. Human body odour contains several chemicals, but the most pungent and recognisable are thioalcohols. These molecules are created through a series of chemical reactions that start with an odourless precursor, a compound produced in glands located in the armpits. Popular theory has it that a type of bacteria called Staphylococcus hominis (S. hominis) takes in these molecules and transforms them into thioalcohols which give the body the malodour.

Body malodour has been tackled in many ways. One approach is to use perfumes to mask the malodour but this approach has benefit only for a limited time. Anti-perspirant compositions are also available to minimize the formation of sweat on the skin.

Thus, in cleaning most surfaces whether inanimate ones like hard surfaces or soft surfaces or animate surfaces like skin, there is a need to ensure sufficient cleaning and hygiene while ensuring that malodour developed over a course of time after the cleaning step, is minimized while at the same time using less harsh chemicals. The present inventors while searching for a solution to this problem hit upon a surprising combination of a metal halohydrate (e.g. aluminium chlorohydrate which is known and used as an antiperspirant active) and specific polysaccharide (viz. pectin and algin) that ensured sufficient malodour inhibition such that the surface smells fresh for a long time and develops minimal malodour thereafter. The benefit was seen to be further enhanced by inclusion of specific organic acids.

Compositions comprising metal halohydrate are known for antiperspirant benefit, however they work indirectly by minimizing sweat formation thereby reducing the amount of nutrient available for the resident bacteria to metabolise and produce malodour causing molecules. W00021498 (Unilever) discloses an antiperspirant composition comprising an aqueous emulsion having a dispersed oil phase characterized in that the aqueous phase contains an effective concentration of an antiperspirant salt e.g. aluminium chlorohydrate or a zirconium aluminium chlorohydrate or complex of either, which is stable to phase separation in a stability test at 50 °C.

WO1 1097324 (Novabay Pharma) discloses a formulation comprising an N-halogemated or N,N- dihalogenated amine compound and a saccharide-based gelling agent. The saccharide based gelling agent may be one of large number agents which includes alginic acid and pectin.

Thus, to the knowledge of the present inventors it is heretofore not known that the combination of an aluminium or zirconium halohydrate and polysaccharide like algin or pectin interact synergistically to deliver anti-malodour benefit.

An additional benefit is that neither of these ingredients are known as antimicrobial agents and therefore do not interfere with the natural microbiome present on surfaces desired to be made free of malodour.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for a hygiene composition that provides malodour benefits using well known and easily available ingredients.

It is another object of the present invention to provide for a composition that delivers malodour benefit without interfering with the resident microbiome on surfaces especially animate surfaces like skin.

Summary of the Invention

The first aspect of the present invention relates to a composition for reducing malodour comprising

(i) One or more polysaccharide selected from algin or pectin preferably pectin; and

(ii) an aluminium, zirconium or mixed aluminium/zirconium halohydrate salt preferably a chlorohydrate salt.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of reducing odour on a surface comprising the step of applying the composition of the first aspect on to said surface. Detailed Description of the Invention

For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the present invention may be utilised in any other aspect of the invention. The word "comprising" is intended to mean "including" but not necessarily "consisting of” or "composed of". Thus, the term "comprising" is meant not to be limiting to any subsequently stated elements, but rather to optionally also encompass nonspecified elements of major or minor functional importance. In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. Whenever the words "including" or "having" are used, these terms are meant to be equivalent to "comprising" as defined above. It is noted that the examples given in the description below are intended to clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to those examples per se. Except in the examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word "about". Unless specified otherwise, numerical ranges expressed in the format "x to y" are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format "x to y", it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated. Unless specified otherwise, amounts as used herein are expressed in percentage by weight based on total weight of the composition and is abbreviated as “wt%”.

The composition as per this invention includes a metal based active viz. an aluminium, zirconium or mixed aluminium/zirconium halohydrate salt preferably a chlorohydrate salt. This may be selected from an aluminium ch loro hydrate, aluminum-zirconium tetrachlorohydrex glycine complex, aluminum-zirconium octachlorohydrex glycine complex, aluminum-zirconium pentachlorohydrate, aluminum sesquichlorohydrate or mixtures thereof. These are salts, which are optionally activated.

Aluminium halohydrates are usually defined by the general formula Al2(OH)_xQ_y.wH2O in which Q represents chlorine, bromine or iodine, x is variable from 2 to 5 and x + y = 6 while WH2O represents a variable amount of hydration. Especially effective aluminium halohydrate salts, known as activated aluminium chlorohydrates, are described in EP-A-6739 (Unilever NV et al), the contents of which specification is incorporated herein by reference.

The term aluminium chlorohydrate herein encompasses materials with specified figures for x and y, such as aluminium sesquichlorohydrate and materials in which the chlorohydrate is present as a complex. It will be recognised that alternative names are sometimes used to indicate the presence of hydroxyl substitution, including aluminium hydroxychloride, aluminium oxychloride or basic aluminium chloride.

Zirconium astringent salts for employment herein can usually be represented by the empirical general formula: ZrO(OH)2n-nzB_z.wH2O in which z is a variable in the range of from 0.9 to 2.0 so that the value 2n-nz is zero or positive, n is the valency of B, and B is selected from the group consisting of chloride, other halide, sulphamate, sulphate and mixtures thereof. Possible hydration to a variable extent is represented by WH2O. Preferably, B represents chloride. Preferably, the variable z lies in the range from 1.5 to 1.87. In practice, such zirconium salts are commonly not employed by themselves, but as a component of a combined aluminium and zirconium-based composition.

The above aluminium and zirconium salts may have coordinated and/or bound water in various quantities and/or may be present as polymeric species, mixtures or complexes. In particular, zirconium hydroxy salts often represent a range of salts having various amounts of the hydroxy group. Zirconium aluminium chlorohydrate may be particularly preferred. Complexes based on the above-mentioned astringent aluminium and/or zirconium salts can be employed. The complex often employs a compound with a carboxylate group, and advantageously this is an amino acid. Examples of suitable amino acids include dl-tryptophan, dl-p-phenylalanine, divaline, dl-methionine and p-alanine, and preferably glycine which has the formula CH2(NH2)COOH. Certain of those Al/Zr complexes are commonly called ZAG in the literature. ZAG actives generally contain aluminium, zirconium and chloride with an Al/Zr ratio in a range from 2 to 10, especially 2 to 6, an AI/CI ratio from 2.1 to 0.9 and a variable amount of glycine. Actives of this preferred type are available from Westwood, from Summit and from Reheis. Alternatively, the complex can be preformed with a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol, such as propylene glycol or glycerol. A complex with a chlorohydrate is commonly referred to as a chlorhydrex. Mixtures of two or more astringent salts can be employed, but, however, it is particularly preferred to employ astringent salts that are free from zirconium, such as aluminium ch loro hydrates and so-called activated aluminium chlorohydrates. As per an especially preferred aspect of the present invention the active is aluminium ch loro hydrate, aluminum sesquichlorohydrate or mixtures thereof. The halohydrate salt is preferably included in at least 0.01 , more preferably at least 0.05, further more preferably at least 0.1 % by weight of the composition. The halohydrate salt is preferably included in not more than 50%, more preferably not more than 30%, further more preferably not more than 20%, and most preferably not more than 15% by weight of the composition. Suitable concentration ranges of halohydrate salt is preferably 0.01 % to 50%, more preferably 0.05% to 30%, further more preferably 0.1 % to 20%, most preferably 0.1 to 15% by weight of the composition.

The composition comprises one or more polysaccharide selected from algin or pectin preferably pectin. Alginic acid, also called algin, is a polysaccharide distributed widely in the cell walls of brown algae that is hydrophilic and forms a viscous gum when hydrated. Alginic acid is a linear copolymer with homopolymeric blocks of (1— >4)-linked p-D-mannuronate (M) and a-L- guluronate (G) residues, respectively, covalently linked together in different sequences or blocks. The monomers may appear in homopolymeric blocks of consecutive G-residues (G-blocks), consecutive M-residues (M-blocks) or alternating M and G-residues (MG-blocks). a-L-guluronate is the C-5 epimer of p-D-mannuronate. Alginates are refined from brown seaweeds. Throughout the world, many of the Phaeophyceae class brown seaweeds are harvested to be processed and converted into sodium alginate and alginic acid.

Pectin is a structural acidic heteropolysaccharide contained in the primary and middle lamella and cell walls of terrestrial plants. Its main component is galacturonic acid, a sugar acid derived from galactose. It is produced commercially as a white to light brown powder, mainly extracted from citrus fruits, and is used in food as a gelling agent, particularly in jams and jellies. It is also used in dessert fillings, medicines, sweets, as a stabiliser in fruit juices and milk drinks, and as a source of dietary fibre. Pectin also known as pectic polysaccharides, are rich in galacturonic acid. Several distinct polysaccharides have been identified and characterised within the pectic group. Homogalacturonans are linear chains of a-(1— 4)-linked D-galacturonic acid. Substituted galacturonans are characterised by the presence of saccharide appendant residues (such as D-xylose or D-apiose in the respective cases of xylogalacturonan and apiogalacturonan) branching from a backbone of D-galacturonic acid residues. Rhamnogalacturonan pectins (RG- I) contain a backbone of the repeating disaccharide: 4)-a-D-galacturonic acid-(1 ,2)-a-L- rhamnose-(1. From many of the rhamnose residues, sidechains of various neutral sugars branch off. The neutral sugars are mainly D-galactose, L-arabinose and D-xylose, with the types and proportions of neutral sugars varying with the origin of pectin. Another structural type of pectin is rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II), which is a less frequent, complex, highly branched polysaccharide.

Of the polysaccharides, pectin is preferred for inclusion in the composition of the invention. Pectin when included is preferably derived from one or more of a fruit chosen from pear, apple, guava, plum, gooseberry, orange or any other citrus fruit. It is preferably from apple or a citrus fruit, most preferably from a citrus fruit.

The composition preferably comprises the polysaccharide at a concentration of 0.01% to 20%, more preferably 0.1 to 20%, and most preferably 0.1 % to 10% by weight of the composition.

The composition of the invention preferably includes an organic acid or salt thereof. The organic acid is preferably a carboxylic acid. Preferred organic acid for use in the present invention are one or more of lactic, glycolic, tartaric, maleic acid, succinic acid, hexanoic acid, cyclohexanoic acid, 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, 4-methyl octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid and citric acid. More preferred organic acid is selected from one or more of lactic, glycolic, tartaric, and citric acid. The most preferred acid is citric acid. The organic acid may also be present in the salt form. Alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts are preferred, more preferably alkali metal salts of which sodium salt is most preferred. The composition comprises 0.005% to 20%, preferably 0.1 % to 10 wt%, further more preferably 0.1 % to 7.5 wt% of organic acid or salt thereof.

Laundry detergent composition:

The composition may be delivered as a laundry detergent composition which in addition to the essential ingredients of the present invention may also include 1 to 80% surfactant. The laundry detergent composition may be delivered in the form of a solid or as a liquid.

The laundry detergent composition in which the present invention may be delivered is preferably in the liquid form. The term liquid may encompass emulsions, suspensions, and compositions having flowable yet stiffer consistency, known as gels or pastes. Pourable liquid detergent compositions preferably have a viscosity of from 200 to 1 ,500 mPa.s, preferably from 200 to 700 mPa.s. Such compositions generally have an aqueous continuous phase. Preferably, the composition comprises at least 50% wt. water and more preferably at least 70% wt. water. Water is generally present in an amount of 20% to 99.9% preferably from 40% to 80% by weight of the composition.

Liquid laundry detergent compositions generally comprise 1 to 30%, preferably from 2 to 15% by weight of one or more surfactants. The surfactant is generally anionic in nature. Preferred anionic surfactants are of the organic sulfates and sulfonates having alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term “alkyl” being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. Examples of such materials include alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkaryl sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates and mixtures thereof. The alkyl radicals preferably contain from 10 to 18 carbon atoms and may be unsaturated. The alkyl ether sulfates may contain from one to ten ethylene oxide or propylene oxide units per molecule, and preferably contain one to three ethylene oxide units per molecule. The counterion for anionic surfactants is generally an alkali metal such as sodium or potassium; or an ammoniacal counterion such as monoethanolamine, (MEA) diethanolamine (DEA) or triethanolamine (TEA). Mixtures of such counterions may also be employed. Sodium and potassium are preferred.

Most preferred surfactants are of the alkylbenzene sulfonates type, particularly linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) with an alkyl chain length of from 10 to 18 carbon atoms. Some alkyl sulfate surfactant (PAS) may be used, such as non-ethoxylated primary and secondary alkyl sulphates with an alkyl chain length of from 10 to 18.

Preferably, the composition comprises from 5 to 20 wt% non-ionic surfactant based on the total weight of composition. A preferred class of nonionic surfactant for use in the invention includes aliphatic Cs to Cis, more preferably C12 to C15 primary linear alcohol ethoxylates with an average of from 3 to 20, more preferably from 5 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Preferred non-ionic surfactants are the C16/18 alcohol ethoxylates.

Liquid laundry detergent compositions also generally comprise agents like soil release polymers, hydroptropes, co-surfactants, builders, polymeric thickeners, and shading dyes in addition to the above described ingredients. Soil release polymers (SRP) help to improve the detachment of soils from fabric by modifying the fabric surface during washing.

The SRP structure may also include capping groups to control molecular weight or to alter polymer properties such as surface activity. Preferred SRPs for use in the invention include copolyesters formed by condensation of terephthalic acid ester and diol, preferably 1 ,2 propanediol, and further comprising an end cap formed from repeat units of alkylene oxide capped with an alkyl group. The SRP, when included, may range from 0.1 to 10%, desirably from 0.3 to 7%, more preferably from 0.5 to 5% by weight of the composition.

A composition of the invention may incorporate non-aqueous carriers such as hydrotropes, cosolvents and phase stabilizers. Such materials are typically low molecular weight, water-soluble or water-miscible organic liquids such as C1 to C5 monohydric alcohols (such as ethanol and n- or i-propanol); C2 to C6 diols (such as monopropylene glycol and dipropylene glycol); C3 to C9 triols (such as glycerol); polyethylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight (M_w) ranging from about 200 to 600; C1 to C3 alkanolamines such as mono-, di- and triethanolamines; and alkyl aryl sulfonates having up to 3 carbon atoms in the lower alkyl group (such as the sodium and potassium xylene, toluene, ethylbenzene and isopropyl benzene (cumene) sulfonates). Nonaqueous carriers, when included, may be present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 3%, preferably from 0.5 to 1 % by weight of the composition. The preferred hydrotropes are monopropylene glycol and glycerol.

The liquid laundry detergent composition of the invention may contain one or more cosurfactants (such as amphoteric (zwitterionic) and/or cationic surfactants) in addition to the non-soap anionic and/or nonionic detersive surfactants described above. Such cosurfactant, when included, may be present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5% by weight of the composition.

The liquid laundry detergent composition may also optionally contain relatively low levels of organic detergent builder or sequestrant material. Examples include the alkali metal citrates, succinates, malonates, carboxymethyl succinates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates aminocarboxylates and polyacetyl carboxylates. If utilized, the organic builder materials may comprise from about 0.5 percent to 20 wt percent, preferably from 1 wt percent to 10 wt percent, of the composition.

When the composition is a liquid laundry detergent composition, it may be diluted with water in ratios like 1 :50, 1 :100, 1 :200 to form the wash liquor.

The solid laundry compositions herein can take a variety of physical solid forms including forms such as powder, granule, ribbon, noodle, paste, tablet, flake, pastille and bar, and preferably the composition is in the form of powder, granule or a bar.

The composition according to the present invention may be made via a variety of conventional methods known in the art including dry-mixing, compaction such as agglomerating, extrusion, tableting, or spray-drying of the various compounds comprised in the detergent component, or combinations of these techniques. The powder or granule compositions preferably have a density of more than 350 grams/litre, more preferably more than 450 grams/litre or even more than 570 grams/litre. Typical solid laundry detergent compositions comprise one or more of surfactants chosen from anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, cationic, amphoteric types, preferably it is of the anionic type. These compositions in solid form typically comprise from 1 to 30% by weight anionic surfactants. Details on the various ingredients like the anionic and non-ionic surfactants, the SRPs, hydroptopes, builders etc which are described for the liquid detergent composition may also be included in the solid detergent composition. Additionally, they may also comprise other adjuvents to provide benefits to the fabric being washed e.g. antiredeposition polymers which together may be included in 0 to 5% by weight of the composition. Builders are generally included especially to counteract the ill effects of hardness of water being used to wash the fabric and these account for up to 50% typically 10 to 30% by weight of the composition. Other fabric benefit agents like shading dyes and optical brightener may be included in up to 1 % by weight of the composition. Bleaches may sometimes be included and when it is included it accounts for up to 10% by weight of the composition and fillers generally account for up to 40% by weight of the composition.

The solid laundry detergent composition according to the present invention preferably has a pH from 7.0 to 10.5, preferably 7.0 to 10.2, still preferably from 8.5 to 10.2, when measured at 1 wt.% dilution in de-ionised water at 25°C. The composition may preferably include a buffer.

Fabric conditioning composition

The composition of the invention may also be delivered as a fabric conditioning composition which additionally comprises 1 to 50% of a fabric softening active.

The fabric conditioner composition is also referred to as a fabric softener. Fabric conditioners comprise active materials which soften or condition fabric. Examples of suitable fabric softening actives include: quaternary ammonium compounds, silicone polymers, polysaccharides, clays, amines, fatty esters, dispersible polyolefins, polymer latexes and mixtures thereof. The fabric softening active is preferably selected from a quaternary ammonium compound, or silicone polymer and mixtures thereof, more preferably a quaternary ammonium compound.

The fabric softening compounds may preferably be cationic or non-ionic. Preferably, the fabric softening compounds of the present invention are cationic.

Fabric conditioning compositions for use in accordance with the invention may be dilute or concentrated. Dilute products typically contain up to about 6 wt.% of the composition softening compounds, generally about 1 to 5 wt.%, whereas concentrated products may contain up to about 50 wt. % of the composition softening compounds, preferably from about 5 to about 50 wt.%, more preferably from 6 to 25 wt.%. Overall, the products of the invention may contain from 1 to 50 wt. %, preferably from 2 to 25 wt. % of the composition softening compounds, more preferably 2 to 20 wt. % of softening compounds.

The preferred softening compounds for use in fabric conditioner compositions of the invention are quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC). The QAC preferably comprises at least one chain derived from fatty acids, more preferably at least two chains derived from fatty acids. Generally, fatty acids are defined as aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having a chain of 4 to 28 carbons. Preferably the fatty acid chains are palm or tallow fatty acids. Preferably the fatty acid chains of the QAC comprise from 10 to 50 wt. % of saturated C18 chains and from 5 to 40 wt. % of monounsaturated C18 chains by weight of total fatty acid chains. In a further preferred embodiment, the fatty acid chains of the QAC comprise from 20 to 40 wt. %, preferably from 25 to 35 wt. % of saturated C18 chains and from 10 to 35 wt. %, preferably from 15 to 30 wt. % of monounsaturated C18 chains, by weight of total fatty acid chains.

The preferred quaternary ammonium fabric softening compounds for use in compositions of the present invention are so called "ester quats". Particularly preferred materials are the ester-linked triethanolamine (TEA) quaternary ammonium compounds comprising a mixture of mono-, di- and tri-ester linked components.

The composition of the invention delivered as fabric conditioning compositions may further comprise a nonionic surfactant. Typically these can be included for the purpose of stabilising the compositions. Suitable nonionic surfactants include addition products of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines.

Preferably the nonionic surfactant has an HLB of from about 7 to about 20, more preferably from 10 to 18, e.g. 12 to 16. Genapol™ C200 (Clariant) based on coco chain and 20 EQ groups is an example of a suitable nonionic surfactant.

If present, the nonionic surfactant is present in an amount from 0.01 to 10 wt.%, more preferably 0.1 to 5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the composition. Thus, the fabric conditioning composition of the invention preferably comprises 0.1 to 5 wt% of a non-ionic surfactant preferably an fatty alcohol ethoxylate. Co-softeners may be used in the fabric conditioning composition. When employed, they are typically present at from 0.1 to 20 wt.% and particularly at from 0.5 to 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the composition. Preferred co-softeners include fatty esters, and fatty N-oxides. Fatty esters that may be employed include fatty monoesters, such as glycerol monostearate, fatty sugar esters, such as those disclosed WO 01/46361 (Unilever).

The compositions of the present invention may comprise a fatty complexing agent. Especially suitable fatty complexing agents include fatty alcohols and fatty acids. Of these, fatty alcohols are most preferred. Preferably the composition of the present invention comprises 0.5 to 20 wt.% perfume materials by weight of the composition, more preferably 1 to 15 wt.% perfume materials, most preferably 2 to 10 wt. % perfume materials.

The fabric conditioner composition is preferably in an aqueous form. The compositions preferably comprise from 75 to 95 wt.% water

The fabric conditioning composition may be used to treat fabrics either in a hand washing or a machine washing process. Preferably the fabric conditioner is used in the rinse stage of the washing process.

Preferably the clothes are treated with a 10 to 100 ml dose of fabric conditioner for a 4 to 7 kg load of clothes. More preferably, 10 to 80 ml for a 4 to 7 kg load of clothes.

Liquid dishwash composition

The composition of the invention may be useful for upkeep of kitchen items e.g.. utensils and dishes which may be cleaned using a liquid dishwash compositions. The various ingredients other than the essential ingredients claimed in the present invention are summarized below. Among the various ingredients, anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, and hydrotropes as detailed under liquid laundry detergent composition may be used in liquid dishwash composition. Additionally, other ingredients which may be included are detailed below:

Preferably, the composition further comprises an amphoteric surfactant. Preferably, an amphoteric surfactants is selected from include alkyl amine oxides, alkyl betaines, alkyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl sulfobetaines (sultaines), alkyl glycinates, alkyl carboxyglycinates, alkyl amphoacetates, alkyl amphopropionates, alkylamphoglycinates, alkyl amidopropyl hydroxysultaines, acyl taurates and acyl glutamates, having alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term “alkyl” being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. More preferably, an amphoteric surfactant selected from alkyl amidopropyl betaines, even more preferably cocoamidopropyl betaine. Amphoteric surfactant, when included, may be present in an amount ranging preferably from 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably from 0.1 to 4 wt%, even more preferably from 1 to 3 wt%. Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used. A good combination of surfactants for use in the present invention in the form of a dishwash composition is one having 1 to 30 wt% anionic surfactant and 0.1 to 5 wt% an amphoteric surfactant.

Liquid dishwash composition may preferably comprise an organic acid or its salts comprising citric acid or its salt. Preferably, the organic acid or its salt may further comprise succinic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, hexanoic acid, cyclohexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, 4-methyl octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, benzoic acid, 4-methoxy benzoic acid and mixtures thereof. Examples of salts of organic acid include corresponding salts of these organic acids that are formed preferably with sodium and potassium, more preferably with sodium, e.g. trisodium citrate. More preferably, organic acid or its salt may further comprise maleic acid or its salt. Even more preferably, the organic acid or its salt is selected from citric acid or its salt e.g. trisodium citrate. Preferably, the composition does not comprise silver dihydrogen citrate.

The composition comprises an organic acid or its salts comprising citric acid or its salt from 0.2 to 5 wt%, preferably from 0.3 to 4 wt%, more preferably from 0.4 to 3 wt%, even more preferably from 0.5 to 3 wt%, further more preferably from 1 to 2 wt%.

Preferably, the liquid dishwash composition further comprises water in an amount ranging from 5 to 99 wt%, more preferably from 10 to 90 wt%, even more preferably from 15 to 80 wt%, further more preferably from 20 to 70 wt%, still more preferably from 30 to 65 wt%, yet more preferably from 35 to 60 wt%, yet further more preferably from 40 to 55 wt%.

Preferably, the liquid dishwash composition further comprises one or more sequestrants. Preferably, the composition comprises sequestrant may be present in an amount from 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably from 0.25 to 4 wt%, even more preferably from 0.5 to 2.5 wt%.

A preferred sequestrant is a phosphonic acid or a salt thereof. The phosphonic acid (or salt thereof) sequestrant is preferably selected from the group consisting of 1 -Hydroxyethylidene-1 ,1 -diphosphonic acid (HEDP; commercially available as Dequest(R) 2010), Diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid) (DTPMP; commercially available as Dequest(R) 2066), Hexa methylene diamine tetra(methylenephosphonic acid) (HDTMP), Amino tris(methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP), Ethylene diamine tetra(methylenephosphonic acid) (EDTMP), Tetra methylene diamine tetra(methylenephosphonic acid) (TDTMP); and Phosphono butane tricarboxylic acid (PBTC). The most preferred sequestrant is 1 -Hydroxyethylidene-1 ,1 - diphosphonic acid (HEDP). It is preferable that the sequestrant is added to the formulation in acid form.

Optionally, liquid dishwash composition further comprises an enzyme with or without a suitable enzyme stabilizer. Preferably the composition further comprises an effective amount of at least one enzyme with or without a suitable enzyme stabilizer. Examples of suitable enzymes include pectate lyase, protease, amylase, cellulase, lipase, mannanase; with or without an appropriate stabilizing agent.

Preferably, viscosity of the composition may suitably range from about 200 to about 10,000 mPa.s at 25°C at a shear rate of 21 sec¹. This shear rate is the shear rate that is usually exerted on the liquid when poured from a bottle. Pourable liquid home care compositions generally have a viscosity of from 200 to 1 ,500 mPa.s, preferably from 100 to 800 mPa.s.

The liquid dishwash composition preferably has pH in the range from 2.0 to 8.0, preferably from 2.5 to 7.5, more preferably from 3.0 to 7.0, even more preferably from 3.5 to 7.0, further more preferably from 4.0 to 7.5, still more preferably from 4.5 to 7.5, yet more preferably from 5.0 to 7.5, still further more preferably from 5.5 to 7.5 and yet further more preferably from 6.0 to 6.5.

The liquid dishwash composition may further comprise one or more polymers. Preferably, polymers can be cationic, anionic, amphoteric or nonionic types with molecular weights higher than 100,000 Dalton. They are known to increase the viscosity and stability of liquid compositions, to enhance in-use and after-use skin sensory feels, and to enhance lather creaminess and lather stability. Examples of polymers include polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, silane, siloxane and mixtures thereof. If present, polymers may be present in the composition in an amount ranging preferably from 0.001 to 10 wt%, more preferably from 0.1 to 6 wt%, still further more preferably from 1 to 3 wt%.

Preferably, the composition may be used as is, i.e. neat, or it may be diluted before use. The extent of dilution is generally dependent on market choice. In some markets a more concentrated product is desired while in others a more dilute product is preferred. When the composition is a liquid dishwash compositions it is typically diluted with water in a weight ratio in the range of 1 :1 to 1 :10. The liquid dishwash composition may optionally comprise ingredients, such as fragrance, colorant, foam boosting agents, and odor absorbing materials.

General purpose or toilet cleaners

The composition of the invention may be formulated as a general purpose cleaner which is usually used to clean floors (in which case it may be known as a floor cleaner) or used to clean toilets (in which case it may be known as a toilet cleaner). It may also be used to clean other hard surfaces like furniture, table tops, kitchen platforms and other surfaces in homes, offices, restaurants and other public places. Such compositions preferably include a cationic surfactant which in addition to providing cleaning benefit also ensure instant disinfection i.e killing or inactivation of germs.

Preferably, the cationic surfactant is a quaternary ammonium surfactant, preferably the quaternary ammonium surfactant is selected from one or more of alkyl dimethyl benzylammonium chloride (ADBAC) which is also known as benzalkonium chloride (BKC), bis (C8-C18) alkyl di methyl quaternary ammonium chloride preferably didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC), cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC), cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC), cetrimonium bromide , benzethonium chloride (BZE); and dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride. Preferred aspect of the invention provides for the cationic surfactant to be chosen from one or more of BKC or DDAC, preferably BKC.

The quaternary ammonium surfactants mentioned above, are available as a single quaternary ammonium compound, as well as mixtures of two or more different quaternary ammonium compounds e.g. under trademarks BARDAC™, BARQUAT® and HYAMINE® (all by Lonza); and BTC® (by Stepan). Quaternary ammonium compounds available as a single quaternary ammonium compound include didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (available as BARDAC™ 2250 R and BTC® 1010, both 50% active; and BARDAC™ 2280 R and BTC® 1010-80, both 80% active), alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (available as BARQUAT® MB-50, BARQUAT® MX-50, BARQUAT® QJ-50, HYAMINE® 3500, BTC® 50, BTC® 50E, BTC® 65, BTC® 776, BTC® 824, BTC® 835; each 50% active; and the same is available as BARQUAT® MB-80, BARQUAT® MX-80, HYAMINE® 3500-80, BTC® 8248, BTC® 8358; each 80% active

The composition when formulated as a general purpose or toilet cleaner preferably comprises 0.1 to 3 wt%, more preferably 0.3 to 2 wt% cationic surfactant. When the composition is formulated as a toilet cleaner, it may additionally comprise a bleach. The bleach may be a chlorine containing compound or a peroxide compound.

Ingredients like amphoteric surfactant and sequestrant may be included in the floor cleaner and toilet cleaner composition of the present invention. Details on the various types of the amphoteric surfactant and sequestrant are the same as given under the section on liquid dishwash composition. General purpose cleaners and toilet cleaners may be diluted before use. When diluted, they may be diluted with water in a weight ratio in the range of 1 :10 to 1 :1000.

The composition of the invention may also be delivered as a rim block. By a rim block is meant a shaped solid composition that is hung on to the rim of the toilet usually in a plastic cage like container so that every time the toilet is flushed, a quantity of water passes over the solid composition, eroding a part thereof before flushing into the toilet bowl. The toilet rim block preferably additionally includes a perfume to provide a lingering pleasant odour after every toilet flush.

Personal care deodourant composition

The composition of the invention could be delivered as a personal care deodourant composition delivered in a soft solid/ stick form, as a roll on or through a propellant containing composition for giving malodour benefits. The personal care product is preferably applied on the skin especially the underarm region.

The personal care composition preferably comprises a topically acceptable carrier which in the present invention is anhydrous. To enable this, the anhydrous carrier preferably comprises a silicone compound, an alcohol or a wax. The alcohol, when used, could be a low boiling (C2-C4) alcohol or a polyhydric alcohol, preferably a polyhydric alcohol.

The composition of the invention preferably comprises a polyhydric alcohol. Polyhydric alcohol is also referred to in short as polyol. A polyhydric alcohol as per the present invention is a compound having two or more hydroxyl groups. Suitable class of polyhydric alcohols that may be included in the composition of the invention are monomeric polyols, polyalkylene glycols or sugars. Preferred monomeric polyols are glycol; alkylene glycol e.g. propylene glycol; glycerol; or xylitol, more preferably propylene glycol.

Suitable polyalkylene glycols are polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol. Sugars for inclusion in the invention could be monomeric, dimeric, trimeric or of the polymeric form. Preferred sugars include glucose, fructose, mannose, sucrose, threitol, erythritol, sorbitol, mannitol, galactitol, adonitol, dextran, or cyclodextrin. Of these the more preferred sugars are glucose, fructose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, adonitol, dextran, or cyclodextrin.

Other components commonly included in conventional personal care compositions may also be incorporated in the composition of the present invention. Such components include skin care agents such as emollients, humectants and skin barrier promoters; skin appearance modifiers such as skin lightening agents and skin smoothing agents; anti-microbial agents, in particular organic anti-microbial agents, and preservatives.

The personal care composition can be applied cosmetically and topically to the skin, broadly speaking, by one of two methods. Some consumers prefer one method and some others, the other method. In one method, sometimes called a contact method, a composition is wiped across the surface of the skin, depositing a fraction of the composition as it passes. In the second method, sometimes called the non-contact method, the composition is sprayed from a dispenser held proximate to the skin, often in an area of about 10 to 20 cm². The spray can be developed by mechanical means of generating pressure on the contents of the dispenser, such as a pump or a squeezable sidewall or by internally generated pressure arising from a fraction of a liquefied propellant volatilising, the dispenser commonly being called an aerosol.

There are broadly speaking two classes of contact compositions, one of which is liquid and usually applied using a roll-on dispenser or possibly absorbed into or onto a wipe, and in the second of which the active is distributed within a carrier liquid that forms a continuous phase that has been gelled. In one variation, the carrier fluid comprises a solvent for the composition and in a second variation, the actives remain in a particulate solid that is suspended in an oil, usually a blend of oils.

Stick or soft solid compositions

Many different materials have been proposed as gellant for a continuous oil phase, including waxes, small molecule gelling agents and polymers. They each have their advantages and of them, one of the most popular class of gellant has comprised waxes, partly at least due to their ready availability and ease of processing, including in particular linear fatty alcohol wax gellants. A gelled composition is applied topically to skin by wiping it across and in contact with the skin, thereby depositing on the skin a thin film.

The nature of the film depends to a significant extent on the gellant that is employed. Although wax fatty alcohols have been employed as gellant for many years, and are effective for the purpose of gelling, the resultant product is rather ineffective at improving the visual appearance of skin, and in particular underarm skin, to which the composition has been applied. This problem has been solved by including ameliorating materials for example, di or polyhydric humectants and/or a triglyceride oil.

Roll-on

Liquid compositions that are applicable from a roll-on broadly speaking can be divided into two classes, namely those in which an active is suspended in a hydrophobic carrier, such as a volatile silicone and those in which the actives are dissolved in a carrier liquid. The latter has proven to be more popular. There are mainly two sorts of dissolving carrier liquid, namely carriers that are predominantly alcoholic, which is to say the greater part of the dissolving carrier fluid comprises ethanol and the second class in which the carrier liquid is mainly water. Since the present invention involves a hydrophobic composition, the former is used. The former is very popular because ethanol is a mild bactericide in its own right

Aerosol compositions

The personal care composition may be delivered through an aerosol composition which comprises a propellant in addition to the other ingredients described hereinabove. Commonly, the propellant is employed in a weight ratio to the base formulation of from 95:5 to 5:95. Depending on the propellant, in such aerosol compositions the ratio of propellant to base formulation is normally at least 20:80, generally at least 30:70, particularly at least 40:60, and in many formulations, the weight ratio is from 90: 10 to 50:50. A ratio range of from 70:30 to 90: 10 is sometimes preferred.

Propellants herein generally are one of three classes; i) low boiling point gasses liquifided by compression, ii) volatile ethers and iii) compressed non-oxidising gases.

Class i) is conveniently a low boiling point material, typically boiling below -5°C, and often below -15°C, and in particular, alkanes and/or halogenated hydrocarbons. This class of propellant is usually liquefied at the pressure in the aerosol canister and evaporates to generate the pressure to expel the composition out of the canister. Examples of suitable alkanes include particularly propane, butane or isobutane. The second class of propellant comprises a very volatile ether of which the most widely employed ether hitherto is dimethyl ether. This propellant can advantageously be employed at relatively low weight ratio of propellant to base formulation, for example to as low as 5:95. It can also be employed in admixture with, for example, compressible/liquefiable alkane gasses. The third class of propellant comprises compressed non-oxidising gasses, and in particular carbon dioxide or nitrogen. Inert gases like neon are a theoretical alternative.

The composition of the present invention can comprise a wide range of other optional components. The CTFA Personal care Ingredient Handbook, Second Edition, 1992, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, describes a wide variety of non-limiting personal care and pharmaceutical ingredients commonly used in the skin care industry, which are suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention. Examples include: binders, biological additives, buffering agents, colorants, thickeners, polymers, astringents, fragrance, conditioners, exfoliating agents, pH adjusters, preservatives, natural extracts, essential oils, skin sensates, skin soothing agents, and skin healing agents.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of reducing odour on a surface comprising the step of contacting the surface with a composition of the invention preferably diluted with water.

The invention will now be illustrated with the help of the following non-limiting examples.

Examples

The materials used in the examples in the present invention are commercially available. Algin and Pectin were sourced from CP Kelco, United Kingdom.

Example A-D, 1-4: Reduction of malodour using invitro H2S assay

The samples as shown in Table-1 were taken and the malodour generated was measured using the following protocol.

Under arm bacteria collection:

Polyester fabric was taken and then it was first desized. 1 x 1 cm² pieces were cut and then sterilized. The fabric was then transferred into a separate sterile container for microbe challenge test. Underarm swabs were then collected from volunteers before they had their bath or shower. The samples were pooled and centrifuged to pellet down the cells. The supernatant was discarded and the pellet resuspended in fresh saline with 0.1% Triton X100. Invitro H2S assay:

10²-10³ cells/ml were used for the in-vitro H2S assay. To the sterile swatch 10 pl of 10⁴ cells/ml of pooled culture was added along with the actives. 1.5 ml of TSB containing 0.01% Cys. HCI added to each well. A Whatmann no.1 filter paper was loaded with 3 ml of 1% lead acetate solution and dried. The filter paper was placed on the inside of a microtiter plate lid and this was used to close the wells. It was then allowed to incubate for 24/48 hours. The lead acetate paper was checked on top of each well for microbial growth . Change in colour of the lead acetate paper from white to brown/black indicates H2S production. The darker the colour the more the H2S production indicating more malodour.

The % intensity of colour value was measured using the procedure described in “A convenient method for quantifying collagen fibers in atherosclerotic lesions by Imaged software; Ying Chen, Qi Yu,Cang-Bao Xu; Int J Clin Exp Med 2017;10(10):14904-14910;www. ijcem.com /ISSN:1940- 5901/1 JCEM0059973" . The image processing was done using the Imaged software as described in “Image processing with Imaged; durjen Broeke, dose Maria Mateos Perez, davierpascau; Packt Publishing Ltd; 2015".

The result for the various samples in terms of % intensity of colour is summarized in table -1 below. The lower the %intensity of colour value the whiter the colour of the filter paper.

Table - 1 : The data in the table above indicates that the combination of aluminium chlorohydrate or aluminium sesquichlorohydrate with pectin produces reduction in maldour. The malodour is further reduced by inclusion of an organic acid.

Claims

22 Claims

1 . A composition for reducing malodour comprising

(i) 0.1 to 20 wt% one or more polysaccharide selected from algin or pectin preferably pectin; and

(ii) 0.1 to 15 wt% an aluminium, zirconium or mixed aluminium/zirconium halohydrate salt preferably a chlorohydrate salt.

2. The composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chlorohydrate salt is selected from one or more of aluminium ch loro hydrate, aluminium-zirconium tetrachlorohydrex glycine complex, aluminium-zirconium octachlorohydrex glycine complex, aluminium-zirconium pentachlorohydrate, and aluminium sesquichlorohydrate.

3. The composition as claimed in claim 2 wherein the chlorohydrate salt is selected from one or both of aluminium chlorohydrate and aluminium sesquichlorohydrate.

4. The composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the pectin is derived from one or more of a fruit selected from pear, apple, guava, plum, gooseberry, orange and any other citrus fruit, preferably citrus fruit.

5. The composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising 0.005% to 20% of an organic acid.

6. The composition as claimed in claim 5 wherein the organic acid is selected from one or more of lactic acid, glycolic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, hexanoic acid, cyclohexanoic acid, 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, 4-methyl octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid and citric acid; preferably citric acid.

7. The composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is a laundry detergent composition additionally comprising 1 to 80 wt% surfactant.

8. The composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6 which is a fabric conditioning composition additionally comprising 1 to 50% of a fabric softening active. The composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6 which is a liquid dishwash composition additionally comprising 1 to 30 wt% anionic surfactant and 0.1 to 5 wt% an amphoteric surfactant. The composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6 which is a general purpose or a toilet cleaning composition additionally comprising 0.1 to 3 wt% of a cationic surfactant preferably BKC or DDAC. The composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6 which is a personal care deodourant composition delivered in a soft solid/ stick form, as a roll on or through a propellant containing composition. A method of reducing odour on a surface comprising the step of applying the composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims on to said surface.