Self-adhesive fragranced gels

Abstract

A method for dispensing an active volatile in the environment surrounding a surface, which comprises applying to the surface a self-adhering, water-resistant gel composition of at least one active volatile ingredient, silica, and a water-soluble cationic polysaccharide, and diffusing or releasing the volatile ingredient(s) from the gel in an amount sufficient to purify or sanitize the surrounding air, both in a dry condition or in the presence of humidity or water. The gel composition remains adhered to the surface and actively releases the volatile ingredient(s) even after being exposed to repeated water flows over the composition.

Claims

1. A method for dispensing an active volatile in the environment surrounding a surface, which comprises applying to the surface a self-adhering, water-resistant gel composition that is free from water or contains less than 15% by weight of water and comprising above 30 up to 95% by weight, relative to the total weight of the gel composition, of at least one active volatile ingredient; silica in an amount of from 1 to 15% by weight of the total weight of the gel composition; and a water-soluble modified guar gum or a hydroxylated guar gum in an amount of from 0.1 to 6% by weight of the total weight of the gel composition to provide strength to the gel; and diffusing or releasing the volatile ingredient(s) from the gel in an amount sufficient to purify or sanitize the surrounding air, both in a dry condition or in the presence of humidity or water; wherein the gel composition remains adhered to the surface while actively releasing the volatile ingredient(s) even after being exposed to repeated water flows over the composition.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is applied to the surface without the use of adhesives, supports or carrying means but has sufficient adhesiveness such that it adheres to and remains on the surface after at least 100 exposures to a flow of water over the composition.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a 4 gram sample of the composition applied to the surface is able to diffuse or release the volatile ingredient(s) even after at least 100 exposures to a flow of 8 liters of water over the composition.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises one or more of a mineral filler; a solvent; a preservative, an antioxidant or an end point indicator.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile ingredient or mixture of ingredients includes a perfume or a malodor counteractant.

6. The method of claim 1, which further comprises increasing diffusion or releasing of the at least one active volatile ingredient by providing from 60 to 95% of that ingredient in the composition.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the modified guar gum is present in an amount of from 0.1 to 5%, and comprises guar gum derivatized with hydroxy C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 alkyl groups optionally containing a C.sub.3 to C.sub.20 ammonium halide.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the modified gum of the composition is 2-hydroxypropyl-3-(trimethylammoniumchloride) guar-gum ether.

9. The method of claim 1, which further comprises activating the diffusing or releasing of the volatile ingredient(s) from the gel by contacting the gel with water.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface is repeatedly exposed to humidity or to a water flow.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface is in a shower, wash-basin, sink, toilet, urinal, or washing machine, where the surface experiences repeated water flows.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface is part of a volatile material dispenser which diffuses or releases the at least one volatile ingredient, and the ingredient provides perfuming, sanitizing, air-freshening, or is an insecticide or insect repellent.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the volatile material dispenser is applied in a kitchen, bathroom, garbage bin or pet litter container.

14. The method of claim 12, which further comprises providing the volatile material dispenser as an air freshener together with packaging materials.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the self-adhering, water resistant gel composition is prepared by the following steps, which are all carried out at room temperature: a) mixing the at least one volatile ingredient in amount of above 30 up to 95% by weight, relative to the total weight of the gel composition, optionally pre-mixed with a solvent or with less than 15% by weight of water relative to the total amount of the gel composition or free of water, with a water-soluble modified guar gum or a hydroxylated guar gum in an amount of from 0.1 to 6% by weight of the total weight of the gel composition; b) optionally adding a mineral filler, a preservative, an antioxidant and/or an end point indicator to the mixture obtained in step a); c) adding silica in an amount of from 1 to 15% by weight of the total weight of the gel composition to the mixture obtained in step a) or b) under continuous stirring; and d) stirring until complete dispersion of the silica and formation of the self-adhering, water resistant gel composition.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the self-adhering, water resistant gel composition comprises between 60 and 95% by weight, relative to the weight of gel composition, of at least one active volatile ingredient that provides perfuming, sanitizing, air-freshening, or that is an insecticide or insect repellent; silica in an amount of from 1 to 15% by weight; and a water-soluble modified guar gum or a hydroxylated guar gum in an amount of from 0.1 to 5% by weight to provide strength to the gel, with the composition further comprising from 0 to 20% of mineral filler; from 0 to 95% of solvent; from 0 to 15% of water; and from 0 to 5% of a preservative, an antioxidant and/or an end point indicator.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the modified guar gum comprises guar gum derivatized with hydroxy C.sub.2 to C.sub.6, alkyl groups optionally containing a C.sub.3 to C.sub.20 ammonium halide.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the modified gum of the composition is 2-hydroxypropyl-3-(trimethylammoniumchloride) guar-gum ether.

Description

EXAMPLES

(1) The invention will now be described in further detail by way of the following examples.

Example 1

Preparation of a Composition According to the Invention

(2) A composition was prepared having to following ingredients.

(3) TABLE-US-00001 Parts by weight Ingredient [%] Perfume.sup.1) 33 Sodium Sulfate 8 Fumed Silica 8 Castor oil 50 2-hydroxypropyl-3-(trimethylammoniumchloride) 1 guar-gum ether.sup.2) .sup.1)Perfume having a pine, balsamic, fruity odor, origin: Firmenich SA, Geneva, Switzerland .sup.2)Jaguar C-13-S, origin: Rhodia Chemicals Ltd.

(4) The perfume was stirred in a beaker with the castor oil. The modified gum was then added and well mixed with the perfume solution. The sodium sulfate was added to this mixture. Fumed silica was then added slowly in small parts under continuous stirring and the mixture was mixed thoroughly during 5 minutes with a spatula until complete dispersion of the silica, to obtain a homogeneous mixture.

Example 2

Preparation of a Composition According to the Invention

(5) A composition was prepared having to following ingredients.

(6) TABLE-US-00002 Parts by weight Ingredient [%] Perfume.sup.1) 31 Sodium Sulfate 8 Fumed Silica 10 Propylene glycol methyl ether.sup.2) 50 2-hydroxypropyl-3-(trimethylammoniumchloride) 1 guar-gum ether.sup.3) .sup.1)Perfume having a pine, balsamic, fruity odor, origin: Firmenich SA, Geneva, Switzerland. .sup.2)Dowanol PM, origin: The Dow Chemical Company. .sup.3)Jaguar C-13-S, origin: Rhodia Chemicals Ltd.

(7) The perfume was stirred in a beaker with the Dowanol PM. The modified gum was added and mixed well with the perfume solution. The sodium sulfate was then added to this mixture. Fumed silica was finally added slowly in small parts under continuous stirring and the mixture was mixed thoroughly during 5 minutes with a spatula until complete dispersion of the silica, to obtain a homogeneous mixture.

Example 3

Preparation of a Composition According to the Invention

(8) A composition was prepared having to following ingredients.

(9) TABLE-US-00003 Parts by weight Ingredient [%] Perfume.sup.1) 33 Sodium Sulfate 8 Fumed Silica 8 Castor oil 40 2-hydroxypropyl-3-(trimethylammoniumchloride) 1 guar-gum ether.sup.2) Water 10 .sup.1)Perfume having a pine, balsamic, fruity odor, origin: Firmenich SA, Geneva, Switzerland. .sup.2)Jaguar C-13-S, origin: Rhodia Chemicals Ltd.

(10) The perfume was stirred in a beaker with the castor oil and water. The modified gum was added and well mixed with the perfume solution. The sodium sulfate was then added to this mixture. Fumed silica was finally added slowly in small parts under continuous stirring and the mixture was mixed thoroughly during 5 minutes with a spatula until complete dispersion of the silica, to obtain a homogeneous mixture.

Example 4

Preparation of a Composition According to the Invention

(11) A composition was prepared having to following ingredients.

(12) TABLE-US-00004 Parts by weight Ingredient [%] Perfume.sup.1) 83 Sodium Sulfate 8 Fumed Silica 8 2-hydroxypropyl-3- 1 (trimethylammoniumchloride) guar-gum ether.sup.2) .sup.1)Perfume having a pine, balsamic, fruity odor, origin: Firmenich SA, Geneva, Switzerland. .sup.2)Jaguar C-13-S, origin: Rhodia Chemicals Ltd.

(13) The perfume was placed in a beaker. The modified gum was added and well mixed with the perfume. The sodium sulfate was then added to this mixture. Fumed silica was finally added slowly in small parts under continuous stirring and the mixture was mixed thoroughly during 5 minutes with a spatula until complete dispersion of the silica, to obtain a homogeneous mixture.

Example 5

Use of the Compositions According to the Invention

(14) A composition according to the invention and a control were prepared having to following ingredients.

(15) TABLE-US-00005 Amount in Amount in Composition Control Ingredient [wt. %] [wt. %] Fumed silica 11.0 11.0 Sodium Sulfate 8.0 9.0 Fragrance.sup.1) 30.0 30.0 Castor oil 50.0 50.0 2-hydroxypropyl-3- 1.0 (trimethylammoniumchloride) guar-gum ether.sup.2) Total 100.0 100.0 .sup.1)Perfume having a pine, balsamic, fruity odor, origin: Firmenich SA, Geneva, Switzerland. .sup.2)Jaguar C-13-S, origin: Rhodia Chemicals Ltd.

(16) An amount of 200 g of the Composition and of the Control were prepared. The fumed silica, sodium sulfate and 2-hydroxypropyl-3-(trimethylammoniumchloride) were placed in a Winkworth Z blade mixer and were quickly mixed. The fragrance and castor oil were then poured in. The samples were mixed for five minutes. During mixing, the gel was scraped off from the sides of the mixer chamber occasionally to ensure homogeneous mixing. A gel was formed.

(17) The Composition and the Control were then subjected to a compression test to assess the rheological properties of the gels obtained.

(18) The rheometer used for the testing of the two samples was a stress controlled rheometer AR1000 with the option of the Normal force (located in the peltier). It was used with a Measurement geometry (or compression geometry) Steel Plate with a diameter of 40 mm. The two gels were treated exactly in the same manner and rolled out using a Teflon disc as a guide. The internal diameter of the disc was 60 mm and the height was 8 mm. Therefore the volume of the gel sample can be calculated as being 22.6 cm.sup.3. The weight of the tested samples was 25 g.

(19) A compression test was carried out. A gap distance was set to at least 10 000 m, to put easily the sample gel between the plate and the compression geometry. The sample was then placed on the rheometer, which was started. The compression geometry (steel plate) moves down with a speed of 40 m/s. Normal force was noted as zero until the plate touched the gel; the gel was then compressed. Measurement of the normal force was plotted as a function of gap distance between the plate and the compression geometry.

(20) The same tests were also carried out for the Composition and the Control after washing with water once placed on the rheometer plate.

(21) FIG. 1 summarizes the results of the rheological test for the Composition and Control, both in dry conditions and after washing of the gel with water. These results show that the increase of the normal force as a function of the gap distance was smaller with the Composition containing the guar-gum than with the Control that did not contain it. It is also evident from the graph that the increase of the normal force was slower for the Composition than for the Control.

(22) The Composition and the Control were also tested for their ability to remain adhered to a surface when exposed to a repeated water flow. An amount of 4 g of the Composition and of the Control, respectively, was rolled into a ball. The experiments were then carried out in temperature and humidity controlled sensory booths. The gel samples were placed in toilet bowls, at the 5 o'clock position. The ball was applied to the bowl by hand, pressing firmly to insure the sample sticks. Flushing was automatically set to every 20 minutes. Each flush uses 8 liters of water.

(23) The samples were monitored visually, and the fragrance performance over time was evaluated.

(24) It was observed that the Composition, containing the guar-gum, became sponge like and initially swelled after flushing, then the mechanical action of the water started to break the sample down and the sample washed away over a long period of time (around 200 flushes). In contrast, the Control without guar-gum washed completely away between 40-60 flushes only.

(25) After 200 flushes the Composition with guar-gum continued to fragrance the booth.

(26) The combined results of both the rheological and performance tests exposed above led to the conclusion that the particular rheological properties of the Composition when it was exposed to water, as highlighted in FIG. 1, were correlated with the surprising long-lastingness of the gel's adherence to the surface and of the fragrance diffusion. Even more surprisingly, FIG. 1 showed that the properties of the Composition of the invention were even improved when the gel was exposed to water, so that the gel was not only water resistant, but its qualities were even enhanced by its exposure to water.