GB2397305A

GB2397305A - Sparkle linen spray

Info

Publication number: GB2397305A
Application number: GB0405457A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anita Lutz; Anthony Zembrodt
Original assignee: Bath and Body Works Inc
Current assignee: Bath and Body Works Inc
Priority date: 1999-08-06
Filing date: 2000-06-20
Publication date: 2004-07-21
Anticipated expiration: 2020-06-20
Also published as: GB0405457D0; GB2397305B

Abstract

A sparkling spray comprising a transparent container 10 having a pump atomizer 20 and a dip tube 30, a liquid spray 40 in the transparent container being sufficiently non-viscous to dispense trough the dip tube and pump atomizer and 0.005-1.0% by weight of the liquid spray of a reflective material 50 suspended in and dispersed throughout the liquid spray and sized for dispensing with the liquid spray through the pump atomizer. Preferably, the spray comprises deionized water, a suspending agent solution, a clarifying agent, a non-ionic surfactant, denatured ethanol, propylene glycol and a fragrance oil. More preferably, the non-ionic surfactant is elected from ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated alkylphenols and block copolymers. Linens or clothing can be sprayed with the composition to provide a pleasant smell and sparkling appearance to the surfaces sprayed.

Description

SPARKLE LINER' SP=Y

FIELD At1D BACKDROP OF THE INTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of home decorating and home fragrance and in particular to a new and useful composition for imparting a pleasant smell and appearance to linen, including sheets and pillowcases.

It is sometimes desirable to fragrance linens or clothes to provide a pleasant scent.

Glitter and other reflective material can be used to impart a fantastic look to surfaces on which it is sprinkled or scattered. In combination with lighting and fragrance, a romantic atmosphere can be created. t I

Glitter pieces can come in different shapes and sizes.

One such shape is a regular hexagon. Typically the pieces of glitter are small, flat and reflective on at least one side.

Dispersing glitter evenly and easily is difficult due to the fact that it is a solid and pieces often clump together. Due -to its physical properties and composition, glitter does not form liquid solutions. When placed undissolved in a liquid, glitter will typically fall to the bottom of the container.

Glitter can be suspended in a gel, but gels are usually not sprayable with an atomizer. Creating an even dispersion of glitter in a sprayable liquid is difficult to achieve.

Dispensing containers for liquid compositions are known in the art. U.S. Patent 3,004,718 teaches a plastic spray bottle with a clear bottom portion. The liquid contents of the bottle can be seen in the clear bottom portion.

A perfume atomizer with a manually activated atomizing pump and opaque bottle is disclosed in U.S. Patent 1,930,872.

Perfume is dispensed from the bottle when the pump head is depressed.

U.S. Patent 2,728,495 is for a container with an atomizer which uses pressure provided by a chloro-fluorocarbon (CFC), such as FREON, to forcibly expel the contents of the container.

Air freshener and clothes freshening compositions are known in the art as well. For example, U.S. Patent 55,c08 teaches a clothes sprinkler for dispensing water on clothes while they are being ironed. The container can be shaken to release water, but will not leak when laid down.

U.S. Patent 3,092,331 discloses a scent sprayer having a pad in the pump cylinder for preventing the liquid being sprayed from dripping out the sprayer opening.

A composition containing reflective particles for use in personal grooming is disclosedby U.S. Patent 4,915,935. The composition is a fast- breaking foam containing glitter for use in a person's hair. The composition is dispensed under pressure from an aerosol container.

U.S. Patent 5,623,648 discloses an air freshening apparatus and method which, in addition to affecting the aroma of household areas and materials, such as bedding, also has an advantageous psychological affect. A recently emerging field 1G known as "Aromatherapyn, explores the beneficial psychological, and resulting physical advantages which may be achieved by exposing an individual to pleasant aromas and mixtures of aromas. The apparatus of U. S. Patent 5,829,648 comprises a container, a liquid containing a scent in the container, spray means connected to the container for spraying the liquid from the container and at least one hard bead in the container, the bead being non-soluble in the liquid and being dimensioned so that the bead bounces against interior walls of the container when the container is shaken by the user, to generate sounds and vibrations which are sensed by the user, and which, with the aroma also sensed by the user, entertains the user.

None of the compositions known in the art are clear or colored transparent fragranced liquids with a reflective material that can be sprayed from a pump activated atomizer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fragrant composition having a novel appearance when dispensed on linens.

Accordingly, a sprayable composition having a fragrance oil and a sparkling component are provided in a pump spray bottle. The sparkling component is a glitter sized to pass through a dip tube and atomizer of the pump spray bottle. The fragrance oil and glitter are dispersed in a clear mixture of suspending agent, a non-ionic surfactant to solubulize the fragrance oil, a clarifying agent, propylene glycol, 200 proof denatured ethyl alcohol and deionized water and a pH balanced.

Advantageously! the pump spray bottle is clear, so that the contents of the bottle can be observed before use. The composition is clear, or colored transparent with the glitter suspended and has a pleasant appearance. In use, the composition can be sprayed on linens in a fine mist, leaving a sparkling appearance and pleasant smell.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIE? DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The only drawing is a perspective view of a pump spray bottle containing the composition of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF HER PREFERRED EDITS

Referring now to the drawing, Fig. 1 shows a pump spray bottle 10 having an atomizer 20 and dip tube 30. The dip tube extends into a liquid linen spray composition 40 contained in the bottle 10. The linen spray composition 40 in the t bottle includes a plurality of pieces of reflective material dispersed throughout the linen spray 40. The reflective material 50 is sized to pass through the opening 35 of the dip tube 30 and out the atomizer outlet 25. Thus, when the atomizer 20 is pumped, as indicated by arrow P. spray 22 is generated which consists or linen spray 40 with pieces of reflective material 50. The spray 22 is preferably a fine mist.

The atomizer 20 and dip tube 30 may be of any type commonly known for use in dispensing liquids, provided they are sized appropriately to permit the reflective material 50 to pass therethrough.

Bottle 10 is preferably a clear plastic container, so that the contents of the bottle lo can be seen prior to use.

The linen spray composition 40 in the bottle 1Q is a fragrant liquid mixture having reflective material 50 dispersed throughout the liquid mixture. The liquid linen spray mixture 40 is preferably either clear or colored transparent. That is, the liquid may be tinted, but objects can still be seen through the liquid.

The linen spray liquid is composed of fragrance oil, a suspending agent, witch hazel distillate containing 0.15\ benzoic acid, propylene glycol, a nonionic surfactant, a 200 proof denatured ethyl alcohol and deionized water. The reflective material is suspended in the fragrant liquid.

Triethanolamine (TEA) is used to adjust the pa of the solution. One example of an acceptable formulation is provided below.

Example

The following ingredients (expressed in terms of percent by weight) are combined to make 100g or a raspberry-scented version of the liquid mixture AS described below: i

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|Component IAmount (we%)| 1! DeLorized Water z6.64 0.25% solution C;?BGPOL (RTM) 19.490 - 941 (suspending agent) Propylene Glycol 11.715 Witch Hazel containing |0.15% Benzoic Acid - j TRITON X-100 (RTM) | 0. 845 (non-ionic surfactant) Raspberry Fragrance 0.845 (fragrance oil) SD Alcohol 39-C 15.207 (denatured ethyl alcohol proof) __ 10% TEA Solution 0 076 Glitter -- O.110 To prepare the liquid mixture, first the deionized water, 0.25solution of CARBOPOL 941 (RTM) a suspending agent made by B.F. Goodrich) and water, propylene glycol and >0witch hazel distillate containing 0.15- benzoic acid are combined and then mixed in a beaker on a stir plate.

The TRITON X-100 (RTM) , a non-ionic surfactant from Union Carbide, and raspberry fragrance are mixed together to solubulize the fragrance oil. The solubilized fragrance oil - is then combined with the components in the beaker on the stir plate. The contents of the beaker are mixed to a homogenous solution.

Next, t:e glitter is mixed n_o the So Alcohol 3 9-C _rom Remet), and then the ccmined Al ' Star --d alcohol is added to 3C t: e e-ke and m2::ez Ron 3 -I -.,i-ues JO ohm a uniFo--m 1- Cal- d.

The glut__ 6 g used stop 1 be o _ -rr.ll sno-lgh diameter to i fit through the dip tube and atomize' outlets of the intended purer spray container. A preferred glitter size is C.008 inch hexagonal Diameter. A suitable atomizer and dip tube assembly is one from CALMER ( RTM) having a "standard" dip tube diameter and VE 23 atomizer outlet size. A preferred length for the dip tube is about 12cm (4 3/4 inches) long in a similarly sized bottle. The dip tube length should be selected to fit the bottle or container used to hold the sprayable mixture.

A pH meter can be used to measure the pH as drops of TEA are added. While mixing on the stirplate, the 10% TEA solution is added dropwise until the pH is between 6.7 and 7.0.

Once the mixture has the proper pH, it can be poured into a pump spray bottle of suitable dimensions for dispensing.

Other glitter sizes and shapes may be used, provided the atomizer opening and dip tube diameter are selected to permit the glitter to pass when the atomizer is pumped.

The liquid composition of the invention suspends the glitter so that it can be sprayed through the atomizer in a fine mist. The liquid is sufficiently non-viscous that it can be sprayed through the pump atomizer 20 and dip tube 30.

The CARBOPOL 941 (RTM) solution acts as a suspending agent. Preferably, the CARBOPOL 941 (RTM) is used as a 0.25% solution in water, although other percentage solutions are possible and work equally well.

Witch hazel distillate is a clarifying agent to improve the transparency of the solution. Alcohol or a suitable surfactant could be used in place of the witch hazel as a clarifying agent.

Propylene glycol is a diol used as bridge builder between the water and oil phases of,he mixture. The propylene glycol acts as solver_ for other components of the mite. Other drops with s milar properties could be The non-ionic surfactant is selected to solubilize the fragrance oil. TRITON X-100 (RTM) is one such surfactant, having an HLB (hydrophobic/lipophilic balance) value of 13.5. It is possible- to substitute other surfactants having a similar HLB value and which solubilizes the fragrance oil for mixing with the other spray components to form.. a homogenous solution. Suitable surfactants include ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated alkyphenols and block co-polymers having HLB values above 11, and preferably, about 13.5.

The SD Alcohol 39-C acts as a solvent in the solution and decreases the drying time of the spray. Other alcohols, such as I.P.A. (isopropyl alcohol), including other denatured ethyl alcohols, can be substituted, depending on how rapidly the spray needs to dry and/or the Volubility 2 requirements of the particular formation of the spray composition.

Suitable' ranges for each of the ingredients making up the liquid are shown in the table below: Component _ Range (wt% ) Deionized Water 40-65 0.25% solution CARBOPOL (RTM) 15-25 941 (suspending agent) Propylene Glycol 1-3 Witch Hazel 2.5-7.5 Distillate (clarifying agent) TRITON X-100 (RTM) _ 0. 5-1.5 (non-ionic surfactant) _ 0.5-1.5 SD Alcohol 39-C (200 Proof) 10-20 10% TEA Solution Iq.s. I _. _. _ _ Lglit_er 0.005-1.00 The fragrance oil could be any known fragrance, and may be selected for a particular potency or scent. As noted above, the amount of fragrance is preferably between 0. 5 and 1.51 by weight, but can be outside this range if needed to provide a suitably strong scent. The composition of the solution may be adjusted to accommodate different fragrance oils Used with the invention.

It should be noted that the clarifying agent could be a surfactant. Alternatively, the same clarifying effect can be obtained using more alcohol.

The spray of the invention provides a liquid carrier for glitter. The glitter is suspended in and evenly dispersed throughout the liquid. The liquid and glitter are sprayable and can be dispensed from a spray pump atomizer in a fine mist to impart both a pleasant scent and appearance to linens, clothing and other surfaces.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

Claims

CLAIM3: 1. A sparkling spray comprising: a transparent container having a

pump atomizer and a dip tube; a liquid spray in the transparent container, the liquid spray being sufficiently non-viscous to dispense through the dip tube and pump atomizer; and 0.005-1.0% by weight of the liquid spray of a reflective material suspended in and dispersed throughout the liquid spray and sized for dispensing with the liquid spray through the pump atomizer.

2. A sparkling spray according to claim 1, wherein the liquid spray is transparent, such that the reflective material is visible suspended in the liquid.

3. A sparkling spray according to claim 1, or 2, wherein the reflective material is glitter having a hexagonal diameter of 0.2mm (0.008 inch).

4. A sparkling spray according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the liquid spray comprises 40-65% by weight of deionized water; 15-25% by weight of a suspending agent solution; 2.5-7.5% by weight of a clarifying agent; 0. 5-1.5% by weight of a non-ionic surfactant having an HLB value greater than 11; 10-20% by weight of a denatured ethyl alcohol; 1-3% by weight of propylene glycol; and a fragrance oil.

5. A sparkling spray according to claim 4, wherein the non-ionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated alkyphenols and block co-polymers.

6. A sparkling spray constructed and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS: 1. A sparkling spray comprising: a transparent container having a pump atomizer and a dip tube; an aqueous liquid spray in the transparent container, the aqueous liquid spray being sufficiently non-viscous to dispense through the dip tube and pump atomizer; and 0.005-1.0% by weight of the aqueous liquid spray of a reflective material suspended in and dispersed throughout the aqueous liquid spray and sized for dispensing with the aqueous liquid spray through the pump atomizer.
2. A sparkling spray according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous liquid spray is transparent, such that the reflective material is visible suspended in the liquid.
3. A sparkling spray according to claim 1, or 2, wherein the reflective material is glitter having a hexagonal diameter of 0.2mm (0.008 inch). 9()
4. A sparkling spray according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the aqueous liquid spray comprises a fragrance oil dispersed throughout the aqueous liquid spray.
5. A sparkling spray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aqueous liquid comprises deionized water, a suspending agent, a non-ionic surfactant, alcohol, propylene glycol and a pH balancer.
6. A sparkling spray according to claim 5, wherein the aqueous liquid spray additionally comprises a clarifying agent.
7. A sparkling spray according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the fragrance oil is solubilized in the non-ionic surfactant which has a HLB value greater than 11.
S 8. A sparkling spray according to claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein the non-ionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated alkyphenols and block co-polymers.
9. A sparkling spray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aqueous liquid spray has a pH between 6.7 and 7.