WO2016112262A1

WO2016112262A1 - Polymeric gel composition for fragrancing and fabric treatment in a clothes dryer

Info

Publication number: WO2016112262A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/012608
Authority: WO
Inventors: Florin-Joseph Vlad; Frank PIETOSO
Original assignee: Agilex Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.
Priority date: 2015-01-09
Filing date: 2016-01-08
Publication date: 2016-07-14

Abstract

A method or dispenser for delivering a perfuming active to a fabric in a clothes dryer. The active may be a crosslinkcd, polymeric gel composition comprising the reaction product of a microemulsion containing: (a) from 1-70 wt. % of an anhydride functionalized polymer; (b) from 0:140 wt. % of a cross-linking agent; (c) from 0.01- 50% wt. % surfactant; (d) from 0.01-30 wt. % water and (e) from 10-95 wt. % of a hydrophobic liquid, based on the total weight of the polymeric gel composition.

Description

POLYMERIC GEL COMPOSITION FOR FRAGRANCING AND FABRIC TREATMENT IN A CLOTHES DRYER

Background

[0001] A system has been described in US. Pat. No 6,846,491 that produces a gel composition, compatible with both hydrophobic liquids and water soluble materials, in a clear gel that is aesthetically pleasing and functionally appropriate. The gel composition is a clear, crosslinked, polymeric gel composition and is the reaction product of a microemulsion containing (a) from 1-70 wt. %, preferably from 140 wt. %, and more preferably from 10-25 wt. % of an anhydride functionalized polymer, (b) from 0.1-40 wt. %, preferably from 0.1-20 wt. %, and most preferably from 0.5-5 wt. % of a cross-linking agent, (c) from 0.01-50 wt. %, preferably from 0.1-20 wt. %, and more preferably from 0.5-10 wt. % surfactant, (d) from 0.01-30 wt. %, preferably from 0.1-10 wt. %, and more preferably from 0.1-5 wt. % water, and (e) from 10.0- 95.0 wt. % of a hydrophobic liquid, based on the total weight of the polymeric gel composition. In preferred embodiments, the combined proportion of (d) and (e) equals at least 30 wt. %, based on the total weight of the polymeric gel composition.

[0002] Representative anhydride functionalized polymers include maleinized polybutadiene polymers, maleinized polyisoprene polymers, maleinized polybutadiene/styrene polymers or mixtures thereof. Representative cross-linking agents include polyamine cross-linking agents. Representative surfactants include anionic and nonionic surfactants. Representative hydrophobic liquids include perfumes, insecticides, and insect repellants. In a preferred embodiment where the hydrophobic liquid is an insect repellant, the insect repellant is N,N-Diethyl-m- toluamide. [0003] In some embodiments, the microemulsion additionally contains a water soluble additive. Useful water soluble additives include water soluble colorants, water soluble dyes, water soluble pH color indicators, water soluble pigments, water soluble fragrances, and water soluble flavor materials.

[0004] The gel composition is formed from a microemulsion that contains (a) from 1- 70 wt. %, preferably from 1-40 wt. %, and more preferably from 10-25 wt. % of an anhydride functionalized polymer, (b) from 0.1-40 wt. %, preferably from 0.1-20 wt. %, and most preferably from 0.5-5 wt. % of a cross-linking agent, (c) from 0.01-50 wt. %, preferably from 0.1-20 wt. %, and more preferably from 0.5-10 wt. % surfactant, (d) from 0.01-30 wt. %, preferably from 0.1-10 wt. %, and more preferably from 0.1-5 wt. % water, and (e) from 10.0-95.0 wt. % of a hydrophobic liquid, based on the total weight of the polymeric gel composition. The microemulsion is then gelled to form the clear, crosslinked, polymeric gel composition.

[0005] In some embodiments, the microemulsion is gelled in a mold and the resulting gel composition is then removed from the mold. And in some embodiments, the microemulsion is formed by combining a first premix containing the cross-linking agent and one or more of at least a portion of the hydrophobic liquid, the surfactant, and the water with a second premix containing the anhydride functionalized polymer and one or more of at least a portion of the hydrophobic liquid, the surfactant, and the water. In some preferred embodiments, the first premix contains the cross-linking agent, the surfactant, the water, and a first portion of the hydrophobic liquid. And in some preferred embodiments, the second premix contains the anhydride functionalized composition, and a second portion of the hydrophobic liquid. Summary

[0006] The present disclosure is directed to a system and a method for delivering a perfuming active to a fabric in a clothes dryer for fragrancing and fabric treatment. The perfuming active may be a crosslinked, polymeric gel composition.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] The above and other features of the present disclosure, their nature, and various advantages will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] Figure 1 depicts a dispenser in accordance with an embodiment.

Detailed Description

[0009] Examples of the present disclosure are directed to a system and a method for delivering a perfuming active to a fabric in a clothes dryer for fragrancing and fabric treatment. The perfuming active may be a crosslinked, polymeric gel composition. In the following description, numerous details are set forth. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present disclosure may be practiced without some or all of these specific details.

[0010] In an embodiment, the perfuming active is a clear, crosslinked, polymeric gel made from a microemulsion that contains (a) from 1-70 wt. %, preferably from 1-40 wt. %, and more preferably from 10-25 wt. % of an anhydride functionalized polymer, (b) from 0.1-40 wt. %, preferably from 0.1-20 wt. %, and most preferably from 0.5-5 wt. % of a cross-linking agent, (c) from 0.01-50 wt. %, preferably from 0.1-20 wt. %, and more preferably from 0.5-10 wt. % surfactant, (d) from 0.01-30 wt. %, preferably from 0.1-10 wt. %, and more preferably from 0.1-5 wt. % water, and (e) from 10.0- 95.0 wt. % of a hydrophobic liquid, based on the total weight of the polymeric gel composition. In preferred embodiments, the combined proportion of (d) and (e) equals at least 30 wt. %, based on the total weight of the polymeric gel composition.

[0011] The microemulsion may contain from 1-70 wt. %, preferably from 1-40 wt. %, and more preferably from 10-25 wt. % of an anhydride functionalized polymer. Useful anhydride functionalized polymers are polymers made by reacting maleic anhydride with a suitable polymer, such as butadiene, isoprene, chloroisoprene, butadiene- styrene, other polyunsaturated hydrocarbons, including mixtures thereof, resulting in a covalent attachment of maleic anhydride to the polymer.

[0012] Examples of suitable anhydride functionalized polymers include maleinized polybutadiene (such as Ricon 131MA10, available from Sartomer Co., Exton, Pa., and Lithene N4-9000-MA10, available from Synthomer Ltd., Essex, U.K.), maleinized polyisoprene (such as LIR-403, available from Kurary Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), maleinized polybutadiene- styrene (such as Ricon 184), maleinized polychloroisoprene, maleinized polybutadiene-isoprene, and maleinized vegetable oil. Maleinized polybutadiene and maleinized polyisoprene are preferred. Maleinized polybutadiene is most preferred.

[0013] The microemulsion also may contain from 0.1-40 wt. %, preferably from 0.1- 20 wt. %, and most preferably from 0.5-5 wt. % of a cross-linking agent for the anhydride functionalized polymer. It is an advantage of the invention that the cross- linking agent can be a water soluble cross-linking agent. Representative water soluble cross-linking agents include polyoxyethylene diamine, such as Jeffamine D 2003.

[0014] Suitable cross-linking agents are materials that react with an anhydride functionalized polymer to form a cross-linked polymer. Typically, the anhydride functionalized polymer and the cross-linking agent are included in a molar ratio of between about 3:1 and 0.5: 1, preferably of about 1: 1, based on the molar ratio of the functional groups which are present.

[0015] Representative cross-linking agents include, but are not limited to, compounds that contain an amine, alcohol, or thio functional group. Suitable cross-linking agents can also contain a combination of one or more thio, amine and alcohol functional groups. Also useful are the solid, heat-activated cross-linking agents disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,047 (which patent is herein incorporated by reference).

[0016] Preferred cross-linking agents include polythios, polyols, and polyamines, with polyamines being the most preferred cross-linking agent. Suitable polyamine cross-linking agents include (1) diamines, including polyoxypropylenediamine (such as Jeffamine D-400, available from Huntsman Corp., Salt Lake City, Utah) and triethyleneglycoldiamine (such as Jeffamine XTJ-504) and (2) triamines, including polyoxypropylenetriamine (such as Jeffamine T-403 and XTJ-509). Also useful are hindered polyamines, such as the hindered polyamines described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,341 (which patent is herein incorporated by reference) and polyamines contained within molecular sieves, such as the polyamines described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,816 (which patent is herein incorporated by reference).

[0017] The microemulsion may contain from 0.01-50 wt. %, preferably from 0.1-20 wt. %, and more preferably from 0.5-10 wt. % surfactant. Suitable surfactants include nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants and combinations thereof. Preferred surfactants are nonionic and anionic surfactants. Examples of nonionic surfactants are ethoxylated nonylphenol containing 4 moles of ethylene oxide (such as Surfonic N40, available from Huntsman Corp., Salt Lake City, Utah) and ethoxylated alcohols containing 3 moles of ethylene oxide (such as Surfonic L243 and Tergitol 15-S-3, available from Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich.). Examples of anionic surfactants are ethoxylated alkyl sulfates (such as Steol CS460, available from Stephan Company, Northfield, 111.).

[0018] The microemulsion may contain from 0.01-30 wt. %, preferably from 0.1-10 wt. %, and more preferably from 0.1-5 wt. % water and 10.0-95.0 wt. % hydrophobic liquid. In a preferred embodiment, the combined proportion of water and hydrophobic liquid equals at least 30 wt. %, based on the total weight of the polymeric gel composition.

[0019] Suitable hydrophobic liquids that can be used in accordance with the invention include, but are not limited to, hydrocarbons, including oils, such as aliphatic 6: hydrocarbon oils and naphthenic hydrocarbon oils, such as paraffin oils, mineral oils, vegetable oils, and kerosene, fatty esters, fatty acids, triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides, alcohols, including polypropylene glycol and propoxylated or ethoxylated alcohols, ethers, amides, polyamides, cyclic hydrocarbons, propoxylated or ethoxylated acids, propoxylated or ethoxlyated glycerides, silicon hydrocarbons, saturated or unsaturated synthetic oils, perfumes, hydrocarbon-containing fragrance raw materials, including those containing alcoholic, cyclic, aldehydic, ether, unstauration, sulfur, and keto functionalities, and essential oils, insecticides, and insect repellants. Useful insect repellants include any volatile insect repellant, such as pyrethroid insecticides, Citronella, citronellol, nerol, geraniol, and N,N-Diethyl-m- toluamide (DEET). A preferred insect repellant is DEET.

[0020] Water soluble additives mat be incorporated in the gel. Examples of water soluble additives that can be included in the microemulsion are pH color indicators, fluorescent dyes, water soluble dyes, and water soluble flavor and fragrance components. Specific examples include thymolphthalein and thymol blue pH color indicators.

[0021] Additionally, the present invention may provide a method to produce a device that houses a gel for delivery to a clothes dryer. The gel can be prepared by mixing (a) from 1-70 wt. %, preferably from 140 wt. %, and more preferably from 10-25 wt. % of an anhydride functionalized polymer, (b) from 0.1-40 wt. %, preferably from 0.1-20 wt. %, and most preferably from 0.5-5 wt. % of a cross-linking agent, (c) from 0.01-50 wt. %, preferably from 0.1-20 wt. %, and more preferably from 0.5-10 wt. % surfactant, (d) from 0.01-30 wt. %, preferably from 0.1-10 wt. %, and more preferably from 0.1-5 wt. % water, and (e) from 10.0-95.0 wt. % of a hydrophobic liquid, based on the total weight of the polymeric gel composition to form a microemulsion. In preferred embodiments, the combined proportion of (d) and (e) equals at least 30 wt. %, based on the total weight of the polymeric gel composition.

[0022] Mixing of the surfactant, water, and the hydrophobic liquid promotes the formation of the microemulsion. In certain embodiments, the resulting microemulsion then reacts at ambient temperature and pressure to gel and form a clear, cross-linked polymer gel. In some embodiments, the microemulsion is placed in a mold where gelling occurs. The resulting structurally stable gel is then removed from the mold. The mold may be the device that is introduced into a clothes dryer [0023] In some embodiments, the microemulsion is formed by first making two premixes, one containing the anhydride functionalized polymer and the other containing the cross-linking agent and then blending the premixes. For example, in one embodiment, the microemulsion is formed by combining a first premix containing the cross-linking agent and one or more of at least a portion of the hydrophobic liquid, the surfactant and the water with a second premix containing the cross-linking agent and one or more of at least a portion of the hydrophobic liquid, the surfactant and the water. In some embodiments the first premix contains the cross-linking agent, the surfactant, the water and all the hydrophobic liquid. In alternative embodiments, the second premix contains the anhydride functionalized composition and all the hydrophobic liquid. The resultant composition can then be housed in a device for introduction to a clothes dryer

[0024] The gel compositions utilized in the disclosure are compatible with both hydrophobic liquids and water soluble materials and are aesthetically pleasing and functionally appropriate.

[0025] In an embodiment, the clothes dryer comprises a dispenser configured to store the perfuming active. Figure 1 depicts a dispenser comprising a housing 100. The housing comprises a cavity 102 to store the perfuming agent and a delivering end 106 configured to dispense the perfuming agent. In some embodiments, the dispenser may further comprise a magnet 104 configured to attach to the interior of the clothes dryer. In other embodiments, the dispenser may be located in a lint filter of the clothes dryer. The device may be useful for multiple drying cycles, e.g., can last for at least 7 cycles, at least35 cycles, at least 50 cycles, at least 75 cycles or at least 100 cycles.

[0026] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, has been described with reference to specific examples. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method for delivering a perfuming active to a fabric, comprising:

delivering the active to the fabric in a clothes dryer, wherein the active is a crosslinkcd, polymeric gel composition.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the gel is a reaction product of a microemulsion.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the microemulsion comprises:

(a) from 1-70 wt. % of an anhydride functionalized polymer;

(b) from 0:140 wt. % of a cross-linking agent;

(c) from 0.01-50% wt. % surfactant;

(d) from 0.01-30 wt. % water; and

(e) from 10-95 wt. % of a hydrophobic liquid, based on the total weight of the polymeric gel composition;

4 The method of any of claims 1-3, wherein said composition is substantially clear.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the anhydride functionalized polymer is present in an amount from 1-40 wt. %, the cross-linking agent is present in an amount from 0.1-20 wt. %, the surfactant is present in an amount from 0.1-20 wt. %, and the water is present in an amount from 0.1-10 wt. %.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the anhydride functionalized polymer is present in an amount from 10-25 wt. %, the cross-linking agent is present in an amount from 0.5-5 wt %, the surfactant is present in an amount from 0.5-10 wt. %, and the water is present in an amount from 0.1-5 wt %.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the combined proportion of (d) and (c) equals at least 30 wt. %, based on the total weight of the polymeric gel composition.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the anhydride functionalized polymer is a maleinized polybutadiene polymer, a maleinized polyisoprene polymer, a maleinized polybutadiene/styrene polymer or a mixture thereof.

9. The method of claim 3 wherein the cross-linking agent is water soluble.

10. The method of claim 3 wherein the cross-linking agent is a polyamine compound.

11. The method of claim 3 wherein the surfactant is an anionic or a nonionic surfactant.

12. The method of claim 3 wherein the microemulsion further comprises a water soluble colorant, a water soluble dye, a water soluble pH color indicator or a water soluble pigment.

13. The method of claim 3 wherein the microemulsion further comprises a water soluble fragrance or flavor material.

14. The method of claim 3, wherein the clothes dryer comprises a dispenser configured to store the active.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the dispenser comprises a magnet configured to attach to the interior of the clothes dryer.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the dispenser is located in a lint filter of the clothes dryer.

17. A method for delivering a perfuming active to a fabric, comprising:

delivering the active to the fabric in a clothes dryer, wherein the active is a clear, crosslinked, polymeric gel composition comprising the reaction product of a microemulsion containing:

(a) from 140 wt. % of an anhydride functionalized polymer selected from maleinized polybutadiene polymers, maleinized polyisoprene polymers, maleinized polybutadiene/styrene polymers or mixtures thereof;

(b) from 0.1-20 wt. % of a polyamine cross-linking agent;

(c) from 0.1-20% wt % anionic or cationic surfactant;

(d) from 0.1-10 wt. % water; and

(e) from 10— 95 wt. % of a hydrophobic liquid perfume, a hydrophobic liquid insecticide or a hydrophobic liquid insect repellant, based on the total weight of the polymeric gel composition, with the combined proportion of (d) and (e) equaling at least 30 wt. %, based on the total weight of the polymeric gel composition.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the anhydride functionalized polymer is present in an amount from 10-25 wt. %, the cross-linking agent is present in an amount from 0.5-5 wt. %, the surfactant is present in an amount from 0.5-10 wt. %, and the water is present in an amount from 0.1-5 wt. %.

19. A dispenser configured to deliver a perfuming active to a fabric in a clothes dryer, comprising a housing and a delivering a perfuming active associated with the housing, wherein the active is a crosslinkcd, polymeric gel composition.

20. The dispenser of claim 19, wherein the gel is a reaction product of a microemulsion.

21. The dispneser of claim 19 or 20, wherein the microemulsion comprises:

(a) from 1-70 wt. % of an anhydride functionalized polymer;

(b) from 0:140 wt. % of a cross-linking agent;

(c) from 0.01-50% wt. % surfactant;

(d) from 0.01-30 wt. % water; and

22. The dispenser of any of claims 19-21, wherein said composition is substantially clear.

23. The dispenser of claim 21, wherein the anhydride functionalized polymer is present in an amount from 1-40 wt. %, the cross-linking agent is present in an amount from 0.1-20 wt. %, the surfactant is present in an amount from 0.1-20 wt. %, and the water is present in an amount from 0.1-10 wt. %.

24. The dispenser of claim 21, wherein the anhydride functionalized polymer is present in an amount from 10-25 wt. %, the cross-linking agent is present in an amount from 0.5-5 wt %, the surfactant is present in an amount from 0.5-10 wt. %, and the water is present in an amount from 0.1-5 wt %.

25. The dispenser of claim 21, wherein the combined proportion of (d) and (c) equals at least 30 wt. %, based on the total weight of the polymeric gel composition.

26. The dispenser of claim 21, wherein the anhydride functionalized polymer is a maleinized polybutadiene polymer, a maleinized polyisoprene polymer, a maleinized polybutadiene/styrene polymer or a mixture thereof.

27. The dispenser of claim 21 wherein the cross-linking agent is water soluble.

28. The dispenser of claim 21 wherein the cross-linking agent is a polyamine compound.

29. The dispenser of claim 21 wherein the surfactant is an anionic or a nonionic surfactant.

30. The dispenser of claim 21 wherein the microemulsion further comprises a water soluble colorant, a water soluble dye, a water soluble pH color indicator or a water soluble pigment.

31. The dispenser of claim 21 wherein the microemulsion further comprises a water soluble fragrance or flavor material.

32. The dispenser of claim 21, wherein the clothes dryer comprises a dispenser configured to store the active.

33. The dispenser of claim 32, wherein the dispenser comprises a magnet configured to attach to the interior of the clothes dryer.

34. The dispenser of claim 32, wherein the dispenser is located in a lint filter of the clothes dryer.