Malodor counteracting compositions and method for their use

Abstract

The invention relates to a malodor counteractancy or counteracting (MOC) method that resorts to the use of specific malodor counteracting (MOC) mixtures of fragrance ingredients. More particularly, the invention relates to new MOC compositions capable of neutralizing or masking in an efficient manner malodors of a large variety of such as body or animal malodors, kitchen malodors, toilet and bathroom malodors, and tobacco malodor. The novel MOC compositions of the invention contain at least one nitrile material in combination with another fragrance material and can be used in any finished consumer products such as air fresheners, kitchen or toilet/bathroom cleaning or freshening products, textile treatment products and products for application on the human skin or hair, or on animal fur, litter containers or cages.

1 . Malodor counteracting (MOC) compositions comprising at least one ingredient selected from Group (I) compounds and at least one ingredient selected from Group (II) compounds, wherein the Group (I) compounds and the Group (II) compounds are defined as follows:
 A. Group (I): (i) Compounds of formula   
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     having one or two double bonds in the C6 ring, located in the positions indicated by the dotted lines and wherein:
 a) RI represents a group of formula 
 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       R5 being hydrogen or a C1 to C4 linear or branched alkyl radical, or an allyl radical, and R6 representing hydrogen or a C1 to C4 linear or branched alkyl radical; 
       b) R2 is H, ═CH2 or —CH3; 
       c) R3 is H or a C1 to C4 linear or branched alkyl radical; and 
       d) R4 is H or a C1 to C4 linear or branched alkyl radical; the sum of carbons atoms in groups R2, R3 and R4 being less than, or equal to, 7; or 
       (ii) Compounds of formula 
     
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       in which n is 1 or 2, R7 represents a C1 to C10 linear or branched alkyl or allyl radical, and R8 is H or a C1 to C4 linear or branched alkyl radical; or 
       (iii) A compound selected from group consisting of the compounds of formulae 
     
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       B. Group (II)—Nitriles. 
     
   
   
       2 . A MOC composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the Group (I) component is a compound of formula (I) comprising a single double bond in the ring, said double bond being located in a position alpha relative to the substituting side chain substituent R1 carrying the functional group. 
   
   
       3 . A MOC composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one compound from Group (I) is selected from α-methyl-ionone, undecalactone, (±)-methyl-2,2-dimethyl-6-methylene-1-cyclohexanecarboxylate, (E)-4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3-buten-2-one) and a-damascone. 
   
   
       4 . A MOC composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one compound from Group (I) is selected from α-methyl-ionone and α-damascone. 
   
   
       5 . A MOC composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one compound from Group (II) is selected from the group consisting of cinnamonitrile or 3-phenyl-2-propenenitrile, citronitrile, geranyl nitrile, cytronellyl nitrile, 2-propyl-1-heptanenitrile, dodecanenitrile, all of these materials being ingredients available from Firmenich S A, and the nitrile described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,814, or 3-(2,3-dimethyl-2(3)-cyclopenten-1-yl)butanenitrile and 3-(2-methyl-3-methylene-1-cyclopentyl)butanenitrile. 
   
   
       6 . A MOC composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one nitrile of Group (II) is selected from the group consisting of citronellyl nitrile, 2-propyl-1-heptanenitrile, and the nitrile described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,814. 
   
   
       7 . A MOC composition according to  claim 1 , comprising one Group (I) ingredient and one Group (II) ingredients, their relative proportions varying from 1:99 to 99:1 w/w. 
   
   
       8 . A MOC composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the Group (I) component is safrascenone, wherein the Group (II) component is citronellyl nitrile and wherein their relative proportions are comprised between 1:99 and 70:30 w/w, respectively. 
   
   
       9 . A MOC composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the Group (I) component is y-damascone, wherein Group (II) component is citronellyl nitrile and wherein their relative proportions are comprised between 1:99 and 50:50 w/w, respectively. 
   
   
       10 . A MOC composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the Group (I) component is δ-damascone, wherein Group (II) component is citronellyl nitrile and wherein their relative proportions are comprised between 1:99 and 99:1 w/w, respectively. 
   
   
       11 . A perfuming composition comprising a MOC composition according to  claim 1 , together with a perfuming co-ingredient, a solvent or an adjuvant of current use in perfumery. 
   
   
       12 . A perfuming composition according to  claim 11 , wherein the MOC composition constitutes from 0.1 to 50% by weight, preferably from 5 to 50% by weight and more preferably from 9 to 20% by weight, of the total weight of the perfuming composition. 
   
   
       13 . A consumer article or product comprising a MOC composition according to  claim 1 , together with a consumer product base. 
   
   
       14 . A consumer article or product comprising a perfuming composition according to  claim 11 , together with a consumer product base. 
   
   
       15 . A consumer product according to  claim 13 , in the form of a solid or liquid detergent or fabric softener, a bleach, a perfume, a cologne or after-shave lotion, a perfumed soap, a shower or bath salt, mousse, oil or gel, a hygiene product, a hair care product such as shampoo, spray or conditioner, a deodorant or antiperspirant, an air freshener or a cosmetic preparation, a fabric refresher, an ironing water, a paper or non-woven substrate or a wipe. 
   
   
       16 . A method to counteract malodors, which method comprises applying to a closed space, or to any surface intended to be deodorized or freshened, a MOC composition according to  claim 1 , in an amount sufficient to reduce, mask, eliminate or prevent any malodor perception from said closed space or surface. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the MOC or perfuming composition, or the consumer product containing them, is applied to human skin and hair, animal skin or fur, kitchen and toilet surfaces, the surface of animal cages or litter containers, rubbish containers surfaces, textile and laundry surfaces, glass windows, dishes and crockery surfaces. 
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 16 , which comprises using a body deodorant, or an air or fabric freshener. 
   
   
       19 . A method to counteract malodors, which method comprises applying to a closed space, or to any surface intended to be deodorized or freshened, a perfuming composition according to  claim 11  in an amount sufficient to reduce, mask, eliminate or prevent any malodor perception from said closed space or surface. 
   
   
       20 . A method to counteract malodors, which method comprises applying to a closed space, or to any surface intended to be deodorized or freshened, a consumer product according to  claim 13  in an amount sufficient to reduce, mask, eliminate or prevent any malodor perception from said closed space or surface.