US 2 1 20060228250, cu») United States 2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2006/0228250 A1 Brown et al, (43) Pub, Date: Oct. 12, 2006 (54) METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR Publication Classification NEUTRALIZING ODORS 1) Ine A6iL 900 (2006.01) (76) Inventors: Robert C. Brown, Arlington, TX (US; (52) US. Ch 442205; 422/123; 424776.1 Justin R. Brown, Arlington, TX (US) on ABSTRACT ore ‘The present invention includes a composition, system and CHALKER FLORES, LLP smethod for odor neutralization of aa air circulation system 2711 LBS FRWY, fr an enclosed area. The present invention includes a Suite 1036 ‘Seodorizing composition for odor neutralization consisting DALLAS, TX 75234 (US) essentially of from about 0.1% to about 296, by weight of ethoxylated alkyphenol, fram about $% to about 20%, by ‘weight of triethylene plcol, from about 25% to about 40 (21) Appl. Nox 110082318 by Weight of ethanol, From about 1% to about 58%, by weight of ricinoleie acid, from about 3% to about 15%, by weight (22) Filed Mar. 17, 2008 fof water and citi sei.US 2006/0228250 AI METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR NEUTRALIZING ODORS ‘TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The preseat invention relates generally to treating culation systems, and in particular, to odor neutraliza tion of an air eircultion system in an enclosed area, BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Without limiting the scope of the invention, background is described in connection with odor neutral- ization compositions, as an example [0003] The main purpose of an HVAC (ea, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) system is to provide the inside ofan enclosure either 2 building ora vehicle with aie that is clean and odar-ffoo, and the temperature, humidity. ‘and movement ofthe air are within certain comfort ranges 0 that it will be a comfortable and safe environment [0004] The main purpose of « ventilation system (eg. heating, ventilating and air conditioning) is to provide the inside ofan enclosure with comfortable, clean aid odor-free sir. Most ventilation systems share common components whether in a vehicle or a building. Commonly, ventilation systems include a duct system to transport the aio different Tocations, a fan to cicuiate the at, an air ontet and aa ialet to bring fresh airinto the enclosure or for recirculation of the ‘it. Many ventilation systems include heating and cooling ‘components such as heating coils, condensers and compres sors, These heating and eooling components ater the humid- ity and temperature of the air being transported, [0008] As the ventilation system operates, air and any ‘contaminants suspended in the sir are transported into the Ventilation system, These contaminants (eg. mold spores, microbes, bctera, chemicals and dust) may be deposited on the surfaces within the ventilation system; and this aoeum- Jation may lead to many problems. Whether itis vehicle or 4 building, the waem moisture humid environment of the ‘ventilation systom can result in bacterial or mierobial growth and ant unusual dank, musty odor emanating from the ventilation system. [0006] One of the greatest annoyances to drivers and ‘occupants of motor vehicles isthe many objectionable odors ‘associated with a vehicle, In addition tthe above mentioned Jntermal odor problems, the vehicle HVAC system has ‘unique problems associated with the mobility of the vehicle. As the vehicle travels, it may encounter objectionable odors fom # number of sources including environmental fetors like noxious fumes from automobile exhaust and industrial ellen, 2s Well a contaminants transported into the vehicle, ‘eg. debris, garbage, animals and the like [0007] Punthermore the vehicle HVAC system is used to ‘cool o¢ beat the vehiele interior, often there is problem in, thatthe body sweat ofthe driver and passengers, spills, dog ‘odors and cigarette smoke slowly aectmulating ia the cabin ‘and/or ventilation ducts and the machinery and equipanent ia the HVAC system, Furthermore, the build-up of mold, bacteria and fungi inside the vehicle ean lead to offensive ‘and undesirable adors in antomobile [0008] A variety of devices have been developed for ‘covering or hiding odors emanating from an enclosure (e, Oct. 12, 2006 buildings and vehicles) including the HVAC system, carpe, ‘upholsten plastics and other surfaces. For example, f farance supplying devices for systems, which eliminate Unpleasant odors and emit pleasant perfumes are commer- cially available, but itis dificult to maintain 2 pleasant fatmosphere over a long period. Generilly. tragratoe sup- plying devices initially olease large amounts of he doodor- fant of fragrance and gradually release less and less slong ‘with the passage of time. In addition, sine the deodorant oF fragrance is emitted continuously afier the devices are ‘opened, the driver and passengers eventually become phys cally “acclimated” to it and i loses effect. To solve these problems, Japanese Unexamined Urility Model Publication (Koka) No. 1-75435, for example, proposes a fragrance: supplying. apparams with a fd, which opens and closes 10 supply a fragrance in a vehicle intermittently. [0009] _A variety of devices has been developed for disin- fecting andlor deodorizating @ ventilation system of an enelosed system, (eg, a building, a house, a room, aa aulomobile), however, such koown systems are expensive, ‘generally dificult to manufacture and are generally intended Tor permanent use witha the automobile or enclosure [0010] | Forexample, US. Pat. No. 5,297,988 t0 Nishino, t Al. disclose fragrance supplying apparats fora vehicle for supplying the interior of an airconditioning duet of the vehicle with a fragrance or deodorant that is carried by a flow of air from the blower of the ai-conditoning system into the eabin of the vehicle, the fragrance supplying appa- rats incloding fragrance supplying apparatus ving control valves for controlling the supply of the fragrance or deodorant into the airconditioning duct, a random number pradcing unit fr producing random numbers and a control ‘unit for controlling the control valves of the fragran supplying unit hased on the random numbers to set varying pattems of supply and cesation of the fragrance or deodor- [0o11) Another example, US. Pal. No, 4913064 wo Rippl, etal. discloses an air handling duct structure of an ulomotive Vehicle having inlet and outlet ends and lignid heat exchange stnicture serially disposed within the duct structure intermediate the ends as Well as blower structure serially disposed in the duct strctue ata Jocation therea- ‘ong spaced intermediate the inlet end and the heat exchange structure includes Figuid injection stracture opening into an ‘exposed wall portion ofthe duet structure at the aforemen- tioned location thereof and is operative, when actuated, 10 inject a deodorizing liquid (and also possibly a disinfectant Jiguid) into the interior of the duct Structure atthe afore- toned location therealong [0012] Additionally, the interior of homes, cars, buildings ‘and other enclosures can accumulate odors from various sources including body odors such as a sweat odor, hire mus odor, oot odor, sealp odor and fe odors in the home including a tobacco odor and pet odor ean ereate an inhos- pitable environment resting In a desire for simple deodor- aati. [0013] In addition to residential enclosures factories, elin- fs and shelter offen accumulate odors from feces, urine, body odors, odors from bedding and stored chemicals, Toads, and other materials can ereate an inhospitable en ronment resulting in nocd for # simple deoderization com- positon that will aecess hard to reach areasUS 2006/0228250 AI [0014] | Maay current deodorizing methods and composi tions only mask the odor with # perfume and have aa insuflicient effect resulting in an inerease in discomfort as & reverse elle. [0015] The foregoing problems have been recognized for ‘any years and while tamerous solutions have been pro- posed, none of them adequately address all of the problems Ina single device, eg. inexpensive systems and efficent SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0016] The present inventors recognized a need for 9 ‘deodorizing s¥stem that would socommodate various dif ferent areas (ez, enclosures, rooms, HVAC systems) and ‘configurations, while eliminating the foregoing problems. In, socondance with the present invention, « method, system ‘device and system are provided that include a deodorizing ‘composition for odor neutralization that may be used in variety of diferent forms, e., solids, iguids, vapors, solu- tions, aerosols, foggers, pump sprays. gels, dry formulation, itive, for other compositions and the like. The deodor- ing composition allows ellctive directional delivery to aa agent into'@ ventilation system, a surface, an enclosure of similar area, An object of the invention is to provide a ‘deodorizing composition suitable for deodorizing spaces, surfaces and fiber products, [0017] The deodorizing composition ofthe present inven- tion has numerous uses and applications deodorizing vehicle malodors. The deodorizing composition may be used to neutralize the malodors in the interior of homes, cars, buildings and other enclosures that have accumulated odors fom various sources including body adors such aa sweat ‘dor hircismus odor, foot odor, scalp odor and life odors in the home including tobaceo odor and pet odor and ereated ua inhospitable environment requiring deodorization. Purher ‘more, the present invention may be used to eliminate odors jn industrial settings and enclosures like factories, clinics ‘and shelter, which often accumulate odors from fees, urine, body odor, odors from bedding and storage areas (eg, for ‘chemicals, foods and paints), drycleaners, cleaners and School eafeteris. In addition, ther materials can ereate an inhospitable environment resulting in a need for a simple ecosudienoie eid, (227)-58,11-eiosatrienoie acid, (2.7.2) 11,14,17-eicosarienoie acid, (2,.2)-8,11,]4-icosatrenoie acid, (2) S-octadecenoie acid methyl este, trans-D-octade- fenoie acid methyl ester or 8 combination thereof. 13, Theodor neutralizing composition of claim 5, wherein the one or more fatty acids comprises one oF more modi cations including analogues, sulfurrubsttations, nitrogen Gerivatves, methyl additions, methoxy additions, methyl ster additions, hydroxyl adiions, carboxyl additions, rings additions or a combination thereo. 14, The odor neutralizing composition of claim 5, wherein the one or more solubilizing agents comprise triethyleneUS 2006/0228250 AI lyeol, glyeols, alkanolamides, silicone glyoots, alkyl ben zene sulfonates, aleohol ethoxylated, phosphate esters, alky= phenol ether sulfates, alkylary! sulfonates, nonylphenoxy- poly-{ethyleneoxy)ethanol, polyethylene glycol monostearate, sulfonates, siloxanes, polyglycols, polyvinyl ‘alcohol, polyester glutarate, caprate/caprylte, long ein alkyl ether, dialkyl diester, glutarate, water, ethanol, ethanol, r-propanol, i-propanol, n-butanol, i-butanol, sec-butano! tchutanol, n-octanol, cyclohexanol, ethyl ether, propyl ether isopropyl ether, dimetboxyethane, cyclic ether, diexane tevrahydrofuran, mono- and di-alkylene glycol monoalky= lethers, thylene glycol monometyleher, ethylene glycol ‘monoethylether, diethylene glyeol monoethylether, ketones, ‘acetone, methy! ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, eyelo™ hhexanone, esters, yl acetate, butyl acetate, halogenated hydrocarbons, carbon tetrachloride, chlorofoem, dichlo- romethane and 1,2-dichloroethane, aliphatic hydrocarbons, hexane, octane, alicyelie hydrocarbons, eyelohexane, eyelo- heptane, aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, xylene, nitrites, acetonitrile, aprotie polar solveats, N.N-dimethy! formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, pyridine and combinations thereof, 15, Theodor neutralizing composition of claim 5, wherein the one or more surfactants comprise tegitol, etoxylated alkyphenol, alkaxylated linear aleobols, ethoxylated linear alcohols, glyeols, polyethylene, mono(p-nonylphenyDether, polyoxyethylene” alkyl ethers” and polyoxyethylenealky= Jarylether, polyonyethylenearylether, esters of fatty’ acids swith polyhydric alcohols, nonoxynol-, polyoxyethylene alky] ethers, polyoxyalkylene alkyl eters, polyoxyalkylene alkyl thors, polyoxyethylene derivatives, xyethylene ‘oxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polioxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polioxyethylene Sorbitol fatty acid esters, glycerol fatty acid esters, glycerol {atty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty acd esters, polyeny- ‘ethylene alky! amines, alkylol amides, fatty acid polyhydric alcohol polyoxyethylenes, fatty seid esters of sucrose, block, ‘copolymers of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, fatty sleo= hols, fatty esters, plyverol esters, glycol esters, alkyl phe- nols, acetylenic glycols, alkanolamines, alkanolamides, polyethoxylated mereapians, sorbitol, sorbitan derivatives, ‘water, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, propanol, butanol, Oct. 12, 2006 izbutano, see-butanol, thutanol, n-octanol, cyelobexancl, ethyl ether, propyl ether, isopropyl ether, dimetboxyethane, eyelic ether, dioxane, tetraydrofuran, mono- and i-aky- Tene glycol monoalkylethers, ethylene glyeo! monomethyl- ether, ethylene glycol monoethylether, diethylene glyco! rmonbethyletber, Ketones, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, ‘methyl isobutyl ketone, eyelohexanone, esters, ethyl acetate, buy! acetate, halogenated hydrocarbons, carbon tetrachlo- ‘ide, chloroform, dichloromethane and I,2-dichloroethane, aliphatic hydrocarbons, hexane, cetane, alicyclic hydrocar bons, cyclohexane, eyeloheptane, aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, xylene ities, acetonitrile, aprotic polar solvents, N.N-dimethyliommamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, Pyridine and combinations thersol 16, The odor neutralizing composition of claim 5, where the one or more surfactants is ethoxylated alkypbeno: the ‘one or more solubilizing agents ae triethylene glycol, water and ethanol; and the one or more fatty acids is ricinolcic acid; the one or more organi carboxylie acids is etre ci 17. A method of nevirtizing odors in an enclosure comprising the steps of positioning a container comprising an odor neutralizing ‘composition ito an enclosure, wherein the odor net= alizing composition consists essentially of one or more surfactants, one or more solubilizing gens, one ‘or more fatty acid and one o more organic carboxylic seid; and ccontoting the enclosure with the odor neutralizing com= positio 18, The method of claim 17, wherein the container releases the odor nevializing composition by at least one of spraying, misting, fogging. smoking and atomizing 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the odor neutralizing ‘composition further comprises one or more propellants 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the odor neutralizing ‘composition comprises one or more surfietans; one or more solubilizing agents: one or more fatty acids; and one or more onuanie carboxylic acids,