Some example embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a deodorizer, and in particular, to a deodorizer substrate with a porous carrier material formed in a monolithic form, and an odor neutralizing composition in the porous carrier material.
Malodors are usually caused by chemicals that are perceived at very low concentrations. Although malodors may not necessarily be dangerous to health at low levels, they can affect one's enjoyment of the environment. Among those malodors, shoe/foot odor is a common problem in people's daily life.
Conventional deodorizers include powders and sprays. Deodorant powders use a variety of ingredients such as inorganic compounds of aluminum, zinc, and zirconium to provide a desired effect. However, powders and sprays can cause a mess and it is almost impossible to apply the powder or spray into some locations, such as the foot portion of high boots or a high top sneakers.
Other conventional deodorizes include shoe insoles or patches.
Usually relatively high loading of fragrance containing perfumes (i.e. about 10 milligrams (mg) or greater) may be used in the compositions of the insoles or spray, to provide sufficient “odor masking” by diffusing fragrance into the environment to mask the malodors. Such concentrated loadings of fragrance in the perfume component can be expensive and cause the adhesive holding the deodorizer to the footwear to soften, causing the deodorizer to loosen from the footwear.
It would be desirable to provide a convenient and economic deodorizer, in which the effective component could be easily applied to and removed from the shoe interior without a mess, and provide sufficient odor masking and odor neutralizing at the same time. It would be her desirable to provide such a deodorizer that had both an effective deodorization capability and a long shelf life.
One example embodiment of the present invention is an odor deodorizer. The odor deodorizer may include a disk-shaped porous carrier material of microporous high density polyethylene, having pores in the range of 45-100 microns; an odor neutralizing composition of undecylenic acid and/or a derivative thereof in the porous carrier material; and a disk-shaped talc filled, injection-moldable polypropylene housing sized to fit in a shoe and having a plurality of holes and containing the porous carrier, the housing being movable between an open to a closed configuration.
A second example embodiment of the present invention is a shoe deodorizer. The shoe deodorizer may include a porous carrier material formed in a monolithic form without a casing and sized to insert in a shoe; and an odor neutralizing composition in the porous carrier material. Optionally, the carrier material may be a porous polyalkylene material. The polyalkylene material may be polyethylene or microporous high density polyethylene. Optionally, the pore size of the carrier material is up to about 100 microns in arithmetic average, and more preferably from about 45 microns to about 90 microns in arithmetic average. In some instances of the second example embodiment, the shoe deodorizer eliminates up to 90% of shoe odor. Optionally, the odor neutralizing composition further includes undecylenic acid and/or a derivative thereof, and at least one of fragrances or flavor agents. Optionally, the undecylenic acid derivatives are methyl ester and ethyl ester undecylenic derivatives, wherein the ratio of methyl ester undecylenic derivative to ethyl ester undecylenic derivative is from about 5/95 to about 30/70 by weight. Optionally, the amount of undecylenic acid and or a derivative thereof is from about 5% to about 50% by weight of the odor neutralizing composition. Optionally, the shoe deodorizer substrate is formed into a shape of a shoe tree or a shell of a shoe tree, or a disk. Optionally, the shoe deodorizer, particularly when formed as a shoe tree, may farther include a mechanical part operably coupled to the shoe deodorizer substrate and configured to hold the shoe deodorizer substrate in a shoe, which optionally may be a flexible rod extending from the shoe deodorizer substrate.
A third example embodiment of the present invention is an odor deodorizer. The odor deodorizer may include a porous carrier material; an odor neutralizing composition in the porous carrier material; and a housing containing a plurality of holes, the housing containing the porous carrier. Optionally, the housing is molded from materials with minimal tendency to absorb the odor neutralizer and or fragrance. The material of the housing may optionally be a plastic material, for example a talc filled, injection-molded polypropylene material. Optionally, the housing may have at least one sheath configured to cover at least a subset of the plurality of holes. The sheath may optionally be movably connected to the housing and movable from a closed position to an open position. Optionally, the number and size of the holes may be chosen to eliminate at least 80% and preferably at least 90% of malodor in 8 hours. Optionally, the number of holes may be up to 50, and more preferably up to 42. Optionally the holes may be up to 3.0 mm in diameter, and more preferably up to 2.0 mm in diameter. The size and number of holes may be chosen to provide at least 20, and preferably at least 30 uses of the deodorizer, where optionally each use comprises an approximately 8 hour exposure of the odor to the deodorizer.
A fourth example embodiment of the present invention is an article of manufacture. The article of manufacture may include a shoe deodorizer substrate containing an effective amount of an undecylenic acid and or a derivative thereof in a porous monolithic carrier; and a sealed package formed at least in pan of a heat sealing, low organic vapor transport packaging film, the package containing the shoe deodorizer substrate. The article may optionally be configured so that it loses less than 5% of the odor neutralizing composition in one month aging at 50° C. and less than 5% of the odor neutralizing composition in three months aging at 40° C., wherein the aging takes place with the shoe deodorizer substrate contained within the sealed package. Optionally the article may have a shelf life of the of about 1 year to up to 2 years. Optionally, the sealed package may further include a sealed inner layer of polyethylene terephthalate located inside the packaging film and surrounding the shoe deodorizer substrate. Optionally, the article may have no expiration date.
A fifth example embodiment of the present invention is a method for preparing a shoe deodorizer. The method may include providing an odor neutralizing premix composition comprising an effective amount of an undecylenic acid and or a derivative thereof; forming a porous carrier material into a shape; applying the premix to the formed shaped carrier material; and allowing the release of an effective amount of the odor neutralizing composition from the carrier material. Optionally, the premix is a liquid formulation. Optionally, premix is applied into the formed shaped carrier material via absorption.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of some example embodiments provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while describing some example preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description of example embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein.
The following description of some example embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
Some example embodiments of the present invention provide deodorizers with dual mechanism of “odor neutralizing” (reducing or eliminating the vaporization of the malodors by diffusing molecules which complex with the malodor molecules in the shoe) and “odor masking” (diffusing fragrance into the environment) at the same time. Other example embodiments of the present invention provide deodorizers with the odor neutralizing mechanism only.
Specifically, one example embodiment provides a shoe deodorizer substrate comprising a porous carrier material, formed in a monolithic form without a casing and sized to insert in a shoe; and an odor neutralizing composition in the porous carrier material. An alternative example embodiment provides an odor deodorizer comprising a porous carrier material; an odor neutralizing composition in the porous carrier material; and a housing containing a plurality of holes. The neutralizing compositions of these example embodiments may diffuse out of the porous structure of the carrier material without requiring any moving or ratable parts to initiate the odor neutralizing action, although the example embodiment with the housing may be alternatively opened and closed.
The term “shoe” is used herein to mean any product for the foot to which the deodorizer can be inserted or attached, such as shoes, sneakers, insoles, arch supports, athletic footwear, sandals and the like.
The term “undecylenic acid” is used herein to mean any of several isomeric straight-chain unsaturated acids C11H20O2 (as undecylenic acid). “Undecylenic acid” is the common name of 10-undecenoic acid (CH2═CH(CH2)8COOH), which is an organic unsaturated fatty acid derived from cracking natural castor oil under pressure. Undecylenic acid is used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and perfumery including anti-dandruff shampoos, anti-microbial powders and as a musk in perfumes and aromas.
Undecylenic acid is a natural fungicide and is FDA approved in over-the-counter medications for skin disorders or problems. It is the active ingredient in medications for skin infections, and relieves itching, burning, and irritation. For example, it is used against fungal skin infections such as athlete's foot, ringworm, Candida albicans. It is also used in the treatment of psoriasis. Undecylenic acid is also proven to have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that are effective on viral skin infections such as the herpes simplex virus.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,495,097 discloses a composition and a method for using a undecylenic composition to neutralize or reduce malodors and bad taste. U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,103 discloses undecylenic acid, among many other compounds, to be useful in combination with an aluminometasilicate coated composite to provide an improved deodorant for refrigerators, garbage cans, automobiles, leather insole for shoes, paper diapers, menstrual products and general in-room use. U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,919 discloses the use of undecylenic acid as deodorant in a flexible absorbent pad for use in several products, including animal litter boxes.
The term “odor neutralizing composition” refers to a composition with odor neutralizing properties which may also include other components, e.g., a fragrance composition, or a flavor composition, or a combination thereof.
As used herein, “Pore” means one of many small openings in the carrier material.
As used herein, “hole” means a hollowed-out place in the housing of a deodorizer.
The term “high-density polyethylene” (HDPE) is used herein to mean a polyethylene thermoplastic, typically made from petroleum or other hydrocarbon. HDPE has little branching, giving it stronger intermolecular forces and tensile strength than lower density polyethylene. HDPE is harder and more opaque and can withstand somewhat higher temperatures (120° C. for short periods, 110° C. continuously). High-density polyethylene, unlike polypropylene, cannot withstand normally required autoclaving conditions.
The term “talc” is used herein to mean a mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate with the chemical formula H2Mg3(SiO3)4 or Mg3Si4O10(OH)2.
The sheath 20 is movably connected to the housing 10, and movable from a closed position as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
The size of the holes 30 is up to 3.0 mm diameter. For example, the size of the holes 30 may be about 1.5 mm, or about 1.3 mm, etc. The number and size of the holes 30 may be varied to tune the example deodorizer so that it eliminates up to 90% of the malodor. For example, nearly 90% of a model shoe odor, isovaleric acid, is removed in 8 hours by a deodorizer 50 with the holes 30 fully open. The isovaleric acid test is known to those skilled in the art and is exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 6,936,220. After each use, the holes 30 of the deodorizer 50 can be covered by the sheath 20 in a closed position. While not in use, the deodorizer 50 can be stored with the holes 30 in a closed position. The deodorizer 50 can be used for up to about 30 times.
One of the embodiments for an article of manufacture of the present invention, as shown in
The shoe deodorizer substrate 90 is protected against significant premature loss of odor neutralizing composition by heat sealing the deodorizer substrate 90 into a relatively thick, low organic vapor transport packaging film 80.
Preferably, the shoe deodorizer substrate 90 loses less than 5% of the odor neutralizing composition 60 under one month aging at 50° C., or under three months aging at 40° C. Preferably, the shoe deodorizer substrate 90 can be used for up to a year.
The example odor neutralizing composition 60 comprises undecylenic acid and/or a derivative thereof and or fragrances, and or flavor agents. Preferably, the amount of the undecylenic acid and or a derivative thereof is from about 5% to about 50% by weight of the odor neutralizing composition 60. Preferably, the undecylenic acid derivatives are methyl ester and ethyl ester undecylenic derivatives. More preferably, the undecylenic acid derivatives comprise a ratio of methyl ester undecylenic derivative to ethyl ester undecylenic derivative from about 5/95 to about 30/70 by weight.
In other example embodiments of the present invention, the amount and type of the odor neutralizer 60 varies to achieved a desired odor elimination and longevity of the formulation in a product. For example, 5 grams, or 2 grams, or 1.6 grams of odor neutralizer may be used in the shoe deodorizer substrate 90. It will be appreciated that it can be used alone or in combination with the device in
In one example embodiment of the present invention, the carrier material 70 is a porous polyalkylene material. Preferably, the carrier material 70 is polyethylene or microporous high density polyethylene (HDPE). Example embodiments of the carrier material 70 may contain an average pore diameter size to about 100 microns, or from about 45 microns to about 90 microns. The pore volume and internal pore surface area of the carrier material 70 in the preferred shoe deodorizer configuration allows for effective odor neutralization for up to thirty 8-hour (or overnight) shoe treatments.
The rate of release/vaporization of the odor neutralizing composition out of the carrier material is controlled by at least one of the following: a) the total amount of the porous carrier material and the amount of the odor neutralizing composition in the carrier material, b) the amount of relatively low volatility fragrance carrier in the composition, c) the average pore sizes pore tortuosity, and total pore internal surface area of the porous carrier material, d) the external surface area of the porous carrier material. The article of manufacture of a deodorizer substrate 90 in a package film 80, may have a shelf life of about one year to up to two years, upon appropriate tuning of the above variables.
The shoe deodorizer substrate 90 can be any shape, for example, a football, soccer ball, heart, flower, soap, triangle, cube, shell of a shoe tree, or disk. In one example embodiment, illustrated in
In yet another example embodiment of the present invention, an example procedure for preparing an undecylenic acid and or an undecylenic acid derivative containing deodorizer substrate is provided. The example procedure may include
Preferably, the premix is a liquid formulation. More preferably, the premix is applied into the formed shaped carrier material via absorption.
To more clearly describe the embodiments of the present invention, the following examples are provided. These examples are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and one of skill in the art will understand that other embodiments are within the scope of the claims.
As depicted in
As shown in
In the formulation of fragrance mixtures, dilution of the “high note”, or more volatile components of a formulation, with either “lower note” and/or inert components is frequently done in order to reduce formulation costs, enhance the length of time the “higher notes” are released from the formulation, or to mute the olfactory perception to meet specific product requirements.
In certain embodiments, appropriate packaging, such as a polyester film primary packaging and a vinyl or similar secondary packaging, would be used to establish shelf stability such as would be required during transportation, warehousing, and while awaiting sale in retail outlets. In certain embodiments, the primary packaging would allow for at least one year of storage prior to use. In certain embodiments, the primary packaging would allow for at least two years of storage prior to use. Shoe deodorizer devices, as described in Examples 3-5 and depicted in
The final preferred product configuration (with a plastic sphere containing forty two holes of ca. 1.4 mm diameter and with SS V formulation) packaged in a primary package of polyethylene terephthalate, and then in a secondary package of vinyl—was tested at 50° C. for a month and 40° C. for up to three months to assure “shelf stability”. No expiration date is required for a product of this type.
Although the invention has been described with reference to particular preferred embodiments and examples, those skilled in the art will recognize that the scope of the invention is broader than those embodiments and examples contained herein.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/876,934 titled “Device for Mitigating Odor in an Article of Clothing or Footwear”, filed on Dec. 21, 2006. The entire contents of said application is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
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