JP2009532295A - Container with air freshener - Google Patents

Abstract

  The present invention includes (1) a container body containing a dispensed detergent composition, (2) a container stopper, and (3) air permanently attached to the container body and having a constant volume exceeding 45 ml. The present invention relates to an integrated dispensing container and an air freshener comprising a freshening unit, providing detergent utilization, improving passive air freshening performance and aroma squirting while rocking.

Description

  The present invention relates to a combination of a detergent container and an air freshener for detergent applications as well as rapid and sustained air treatment.

  Air fresheners are frequently used to control odors in bathrooms, kitchens and other enclosed spaces. In general, commercially available dispensing devices for dispensing fragrances or air fresheners function in an active mode or a passive mode. Active dispensing is accomplished via an aerosol or pump operated spray dispensing device. In addition to dispensing devices that require consumer action to rapidly dispense dispersible compositions, passive through evaporation or sublimation of vaporizable materials without active physical involvement by the consumer Dispensing devices that function automatically are also well known. Active dispensing provides a quick and powerful air treatment, while passive dispensing has a sustained effect on the atmosphere over a long period of time with a slow release rate. Dual dispensing devices that function in active and passive modes have been described in the art. For example, PCT issued February 15, 2001, which discloses a dual function dispensing device comprising a dispensing unit that can independently dispense actively dispersed sprays or dispersible substances that evaporate over time. See International Publication No. WO 01/10739 (SC Johnson & Son Inc.).

  Combining air fresheners with hand lotions or soaps is also known in the art. In PCT International Publication No. WO 02/20172 (Fresh Product), issued March 14, 2002, an air freshener can be passively distributed at a controlled rate, or a user pumped the device A unitary unit is disclosed that can be actively distributed to receive a measured amount of hand lotion as it is pumped from. Dispersion can be performed using a mechanical fan or sponge compression.

  In fact, containers for cleaning products such as dishwashing detergents are always used throughout the day and are therefore left on the table. Such a container can provide two effects. The combination of an air freshener and a detergent container, particularly a manual dishwashing detergent container, can refresh the kitchen air, remove cooking or other odors, or simply impart a pleasant fragrance to the air. PCT International Publication No. WO 2004/084954 (Colgate Palmolive), issued October 7, 2004, includes a home with a system that passively delivers a fragrance that refreshes the room as part of the structure. A container for the article is described. Mounted on the top of the container is a tray unit having a plurality of separate compartments that contain the same or different fragrances. Each compartment can be opened separately as a means to control the amount of air freshener delivered to the room. The scented dispensing container described in PCT International Publication No. WO 2004/084660 (Colgate Palmolive), issued October 7, 2004, is located in a stopper. However, these prior art products only provide a long-lasting passive effect with a slow release rate.

  In fact, most retail or consumer-oriented air fresheners function in an “always on” manner. That is, once the air freshener is activated initially, the fragrance is dispersed until the replenishment material is exhausted. Air freshening is typically only required when a person is in the same normal area as the air freshener dispenser, and an “always on” dispenser is not needed or desired. When not, most of the fragrance may be dispensed. For example, more user-oriented home air fresheners are available, such as spray products. However, the mechanism required to inject the air freshener often makes spray dispensers relatively expensive, difficult to reuse, and not always suitable for kitchen use. .

  The present invention is very simple both in the active ejection of fragrances in air and in passive dispensing of the same substance by evaporating over a long period of time in the environment in which the detergent composition is stored and / or used. An integrated detergent / air freshener dispenser that can provide a cost-effective manner. In addition to the continuous air freshening effect when dispensing detergent for consumer use or simply shaking the dispensing device, the consumer provides rapid and powerful air treatment when necessary or desirable. be able to. In order to obtain such advantages, the air freshening unit of the integrated dispensing device of the present invention is characterized by a constant volume exceeding 45 ml.

Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the fragrance is concentrated in the air freshener headspace air while standing. When rocked, the headspace is emptied, thereby effectively and comfortably ejecting the fragrance. It has been found that such a fragrance squirt is obtained when sufficient fragrance is accumulated in the headspace. This requires a capacity of at least 45 ml of air freshening unit. Furthermore, it has surprisingly been found that a ventilation area of more than 4 cm ² enhances passive performance and aroma squirting while rocking.

  The present invention includes (1) a container body containing a dispensed detergent composition, (2) a container stopper, and (3) air permanently attached to the container body and having a constant volume exceeding 45 ml. The present invention relates to an integrated dispensing container and an air freshener (hereinafter also referred to as “apparatus”) including a fresh unit.

  The present invention also relates to a method for providing rapid and powerful air treatment by rocking the integrated dispensing container and air freshener. In a preferred embodiment, such rapid and powerful air treatment is obtained when the detergent is dispensed from the device.

  The following description frequently refers to the use of air fresheners or fragrances, but the present invention also includes deodorants, deodorants, malodor neutralizers, insecticides, insecticides, drugs, disinfectants, bactericides. It should be understood that other forms of dispersible materials that can be dispensed passively, such as mood enhancers, and aromatherapy compositions can be applied.

  For the purposes of the present invention, an active dispensing device should be one that requires the operation of dispensing the dispersible composition on the consumer side, as a squirt or spray, Dispensed as a direct result, while passive dispensers do not require consumer action when the dispersible composition is dispensed, but are relatively slow compared to the speed of active dispensers. The dispersible composition should be dispensed by evaporation, sublimation, etc. over a long period at a rate. Removing the cover, packaging, or control means from the passive dispensing device should not be considered an operation of dispensing the composition.

  An injectable detergent composition, preferably a liquid detergent composition, is retained in the container, and the detergent composition can be dispensed from the container by pouring or squeezing. Such detergent compositions are typically selected from the group of dishwashing compositions, laundry compositions and / or hard surface cleaning compositions, preferably dishwashing compositions. Such detergent compositions are usually surfactant systems, and typically solvents, and dyes, enzymes, fragrances, thickeners, pH adjusters, reducing or oxidizing bleaches, malodor inhibitors, antioxidants, and free It includes one or more optional ingredients known in the cleaning art, such as radical inhibitors, and mixtures thereof.

Container The container body and stopper may be any material including glass, but plastic, particularly plastic that can be injection molded or blow molded, is preferred. These include polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate.

  Any shape can be used for the container body of the present invention and typically includes a neck, a gripping region, preferably a squeezing region and a base, closed by a stopper. The neck can be closed by any cap, preferably a push-up cap or a pull-up cap, more preferably a push-up cap.

Air Freshener (AF) Unit The AF unit is permanently attached to the container body. It may be manufactured separately and then fixed to the container body, for example via a clip-on system, or it may be manufactured at the same time as the container body. Preferably, the AF unit is not part of the container closure. Preferably, the AF unit is located at the bottom of the container body and forms the base of the device.

  The AF unit has a constant volume greater than 45 ml, preferably greater than 50 ml, more preferably greater than 60 ml, even more preferably greater than 70 ml. The AF unit preferably has a constant volume of less than 250 ml, more preferably less than 150 ml, even more preferably less than 120 ml. The capacity of the AF unit is the capacity of the AF unit itself and includes a vent opening, but excludes any air freshening material.

  The air freshening unit must be constructed to ensure that the fragrance can diffuse outward. The AF unit can therefore be made of a material that is permeable to perfumes, for example low density polyethylene. In that embodiment, however, the perfume migration through the material is slow and may be more difficult to control, so in a preferred embodiment the AF unit is made from any plastic and is also referred to as a vent. The fragrance can be transmitted from the head space of the AF unit to the external environment. These opening (s) or vent (s) all together form a venting area, in any shape and orientation (horizontal or vertical, corrugated, linear, circular or other shape) There may be. When the air freshener is in the form of fragrance grains, such vents are even smaller than the smaller fragrance grains contained in the air freshening unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the AF unit has a ventilation area of greater than 4 cm ² , preferably greater than 5 cm ² , more preferably greater than 6 cm ² , and even more preferably greater than 7 cm ² . The AF unit preferably has a ventilation area of less than 30 cm ² , more preferably less than 20 cm ² , and even more preferably less than 15 cm ² .

  Prior to use, the vent area of the AF unit is sealed with any means such as a removable sticker or a shrink sleeve. Such a seal may be one or more parts so that the release of the air freshener can be adjusted, for example by removing one, several or all stickers.

Air Freshener Composition Typically, ingredients suitable for inclusion in an air freshener unit include fragrances, air fresheners, deodorants, deodorants, malodor neutralizers in solid, liquid or gel form. Insecticides, insect repellents, drugs, disinfectants, bactericides, mood enhancers, aromatherapy compositions and the like. Preferably, the fragrance or air freshener is Firmenich Inc., Takasago Inc., Noville Inc., Quest Co., International Flavor & Fragrance ( A fragrance containing one or more volatile organic compounds available from fragrance manufacturers such as International Flavors & Fragrances and Givaudan-Roure Corp. The most common fragrance material is volatile essential oil. Fragrances are synthetically formed substances or naturally derived oils (bergamot oil, orange peel oil, lemon oil, mandarin oil, cinnamon oleander oil, cedar leaf oil, clove leaf oil, cedar oil, geranium. Oil, lavender oil, orange oil, origanum oil, petitgren oil, white cedar oil, patchouli oil, lavandin oil, neroli oil, pure rose oil, etc.).

  A wide variety of chemicals such as aldehydes, ketones, esters, alcohols, terpenes and the like are known as perfumes. The fragrance can be a relatively simple composition or a complex mixture of natural and synthetic chemical components. Synthetic fragrance compositions, either alone or in combination with natural oils, are described in US Pat. No. 4, which describes a novel ketoamine and the use of the novel ketoamine in the process of preparing a cyclopropanecarboxylic acid pyrethroid intermediate. U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,829 which describes methyl 2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-2-en-1-ylcarboxylate to reproduce a fresh fragrance such as fruity or floral. And fragrance compositions based on bicyclol [2,2,2] octane and bicyclo [2,2,2] octenes derivatives for smells such as sandalwood oil U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,306; incorporated herein by reference. To. Examples of other artificial liquid fragrances include geraniol, geranyl acetate, eugenol, isoeugenol, linalool, linalyl acetate, phenethyl alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl ionone, and isobomyl acetate.

  Liquid fragrances can also be denatured by the addition of thickeners, such as cellulosic materials, polymeric thickeners, or the type of fumed silica sold under the trademark Cabosil by Cabot Corporation. It may be formed into a gel. The fragrance component may also be in the form of a crystalline solid, which has the ability to sublime into the vapor phase at ambient temperature. Crystalline fragrance starting materials are vanillin, ethyl vanillin, coumarin, tonalide, caron, heliotropene, musk xylol, cedrol, musk ketone benzophenone, raspberry ketone, methyl naphthyl ketone beta, phenylethyl salicylate, bertole, maltol, maple lactone, acetic acid pro It can be selected from organic compounds including eugenol, evermil and the like. This type of fragrance can contribute to the long-term air handling capacity of an air freshener dispenser for use in the present invention.

  In a preferred embodiment, the air freshener composition is in the form of perfumed grains that release these perfumes over time. Suitable grains for use herein may be made of polymers or clays or porous rocks or stones such as pumice, silica or silicates.

  Suitable for use herein is PCT International Publication No. WO 9947182 (page 16, line 1 to page 22, line 16) (: expanded or unexpanded low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene and vinyl acetate and Copolymers with polyvinyl chloride, more particularly copolymers of ethylene with polar vinyl monomers selected from vinyl acetate, ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, butyl acrylate and acrylic acid); US Pat. No. 4,095, 031 (also described for copolymers of 6 to 6% by weight polar vinyl monomer selected from ethylene and vinyl acetate, ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, butyl acrylate and acrylic acid); US Pat. 505,432 (4 steps, lines 8 to 64) (: Scented polyethylene Polypropylene production method); U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,498 (6 steps 28-45) (describes production method of microporous polymer characterized by relative uniformity and narrow pore size distribution); No. 4,156,067 (: polyurethane polymer with molecular weight above 6,000 and lactone and hydroxyl groups in the polymer backbone as a support for alcohols and esters); US Pat. No. 4,521,541 And US Pat. No. 4,542,162 (suing a single or twin screw extruder), resin, functional liquid or solid and gas or liquid blowing agent, with a specific range of lateral intervals. ) Describes the production of thermoplastic polymer foam particles such that the release of the perfume composition is controlled by placing it in an extrusion stream); US Pat. No. 5,54 398 (12 columns 20-46) (describes para-C5 alkyl-substituted ethoxycyclohexane to enhance the fragrance of a perfume composition); US Pat. No. 6,379,689 (1 column 39-62) ) (: Disclosed carrier based on silicone elastomer matrix with dispersed volatile material), such as those disclosed and exemplified, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. .

  A preferred polymeric carrier for use in the present invention is low density polyethylene or ethylene vinyl acetate, preferably ethylene vinyl acetate. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,437 (discloses a process for making fragrance chips by absorbing liquid fragrance in ethylene vinyl acetate); U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,909 (from stage 3, line 6) 4th row, 26th) describes a resinous composition for a fragrance containing at least one specific ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and a diffusing agent which is benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate and / or di- (lower alkyl) phthalate. U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,644 (2nd 14th to 3rd 30th) (perfume composition produced from granular ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and perfume containing hydrocarbon and / or ester A slow release at a temperature of 50 ° C.); and US Pat. No. 4,511,496 (ethylene vinyl alcohol). See the process of mixing the tate copolymer and the fragrance and the case where the fragrance penetrates only into the surface layer of the pellet, fine powder as a coating), all of which are incorporated herein by reference. .

  A perfumed grain suitable for use herein is commercially available from International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) under the trade name Polyiff. Such granules are available as both low density polyethylene and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), preferably in EVA form.

  In short, the process for producing such grains involves mixing molten plastic and perfume and solidifying the mixture into a suitable shape.

  The perfume filling of the grains may vary over a wide range depending on the specific requirements for the specific apparatus for the perfume composition and perfume carrier. The grains herein typically contain 2% to 75%, preferably 5% to 60%, more preferably 5% to 35% by weight of perfume and the total weight of the grain. May represent from 5 grams to 40 grams. In a preferred embodiment, the perfume filling of the perfume material and the amount of perfume material are adjusted to match the lifetime of the detergent composition when used at a standard dose during normal use by a standard consumer. .

  In order to improve the duration and linearity of the fragrance release, there should be enough in the AF unit to allow the fragrance grains to move freely when the dispensing device is rocked and / or used to dispense liquids. It is preferred that there be free space, but this is hindered at some point if too many grains are present.

  It has also been found that scented grains should ideally not obstruct air flow through the vent region. Grain deposited beyond the ventilation region has the effect of reducing the ventilation region. The vented area to be plugged should preferably be less than 50%, more preferably less than 25% and provide the desired passive and active experience.

  As used herein, the grains are preferably substantially spherical, as opposed to rod or square or square blocks. In fact, when spherical, the grains are more mobile in the device, so the fresh and clean surface of the grains is exposed over time. Grain populations may be substantially homogeneous in terms of their perfume content, but it may be attractive to have a heterogeneous population. In fact, specific grains containing specific fragrances can be produced in batches as a homogeneous population and then mixed in an infinite variation with different populations, allowing flexible selection of fragrances and functionality, This is economically attractive. Indeed, fragrances that further provide sanitization and / or antimicrobial effects may be used.

  The air freshener fragrance is coordinated or identical to the perfume accord of the detergent composition. The air freshener is preferably the same or matched to the color or shade of the detergent composition.

Process In the process according to the invention, the integrated dispensing container and the air freshener described so far are preferably placed in a kitchen or storage room, preferably in the kitchen, on a cooking table or in a closed space such as a storage cupboard. Placed on the countertop. The AF unit seal is partially or completely removed so as to passively sustain and refresh the ambient air. When desired, such as when it is necessary to reject cooking odors or off-flavors generated in an enclosed space, the integrated dispensing container and the air freshener can be shaken to provide a large amount of dispensing or air freshener quickly. If the detergent composition is dispensed for use from an integrated dispensing container and air freshener, it is as fast, powerful and very comfortable air treatment is obtained.

Device with instructions In another embodiment of the present invention, the device is provided with instructions for using it in the process so as to maximize the unique advantages of the device. In this embodiment, an integrated dispensing container and air freshener, and the device is placed in an environment where active and passive air freshening is required, such as a storage cupboard or kitchen worktop, and the device A product is provided with instructions for shaking to provide a quick and further release of the air freshener.

  In another embodiment of the invention, the liquid detergent composition is provided separately from the device as described above as a refill for the dispensing container of the device.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 depicts an integrated dispensing container and air freshener (1) comprising a container body (2), a push-up cap (3) as a stopper, and an air freshening unit (4). The container body has a neck (5) and a gripping area (6), preferably a squeezing area and a base (7). The air freshener unit (4) is attached to the base (7) of the container body (2), for example, via a groove (s). The air freshener (4) has a base (8) and a ventilation region (9). Such a venting region is closed by a removable sticker (10). FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the same integrated dispensing container and air freshener (1) with the removable sticker of the vent region (9) removed.

The front view of an integrated dispensing container and an air freshener. The perspective view of an integrated dispensing container and an air freshener.

Claims (12)

(1) a container body containing a detergent composition;
(2) a container stopper;
(3) An integrated dispensing container and an air freshener, comprising: an air freshening unit permanently attached to the container body and having a constant capacity exceeding 45 ml.   Integrated dispensing container and air freshener according to claim 1, characterized in that the air freshening unit has a constant volume of more than 50 ml, preferably more than 60 ml, more preferably more than 70 ml.   3. Integrated dispensing container and air freshener according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the air freshening unit has a constant volume of less than 250 ml, preferably less than 150 ml, more preferably less than 120 ml. Wherein said air freshening unit is further more than 4 cm ^2, preferably greater than 5 cm ^2, more preferably greater than 6 cm ^2, even more preferably characterized in that it is characterized by venting area of more than 7 cm ² Item 4. An integrated dispensing container and an air freshener according to any one of items 1 to 3. The air freshening unit is less than 30 cm ^2, preferably less than 20 cm ^2, more preferably integral dispensing container according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a vent region of less than 15cm ² And air fresheners.   The integrated dispensing container and the air freshener according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the air freshening unit is not a part of the stopper of the container.   The integrated dispensing container and the air freshener according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the air freshening unit is located at a bottom portion of the container main body.   The integrated dispensing container and the air freshener according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the air freshening unit includes an air freshener in the form of a fragrance grain.   The integrated dispensing container and air freshener according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the detergent composition is a dishwashing composition.   10. A method characterized in that the scenting of the fragrance is brought about by shaking the integrated dispensing container and the air freshener according to any one of claims 1-9.   12. A method according to claim 11, wherein rocking is effected when dispensing the detergent composition.   The integrated dispensing container and the air freshener according to claim 1, and the integrated dispensing container and the air freshener require active and passive air freshening such as a storage cupboard or a kitchen cooking table. And an instruction manual for shaking the device to bring about a quick and further release of the air freshener.

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