TEPZZ 6 98Z7B_T

(19)

(11) EP 2 629 807 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.:

of the grant of the patent: A61L 9/01 (2006.01) A61L 9/12 (2006.01)
12.04.2017 Bulletin 2017/15 A61L 101/32 (2006.01) A61L 9/14 (2006.01)

(21) Application number: 11835295.4 (86) International application number:

PCT/US2011/057554
(22) Date of filing: 24.10.2011
(87) International publication number:
WO 2012/054939 (26.04.2012 Gazette 2012/17)

(54) WATER-BASED AIR FRESHENER COMPOSITIONS

WÄSSRIGE LUFTERFRISCHERZUSAMMENSETZUNGEN
COMPOSITIONS ASSAINISSEUR D’AIR À BASE D’EAU

(84) Designated Contracting States: • ZLOTNIK, Stuart, A.

AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB Montville
GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO NJ 07045 (US)
PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR • HINDEN-KUHLES, Natalie
Designated Extension States: Somerville
BA ME NJ 08876 (US)

(30) Priority: 22.10.2010 US 405957 P (74) Representative: Finnegan Europe LLP

16 Old Bailey
(43) Date of publication of application: London EC4M 7EG (GB)
28.08.2013 Bulletin 2013/35
(56) References cited:
(73) Proprietor: Agilex Flavor&Fragrances WO-A1-97/49375 US-A- 4 983 578
Piscataway, NJ 08854 (US) US-A- 5 047 234 US-A- 5 585 343
US-A1- 2008 023 569 US-A1- 2008 280 797
(72) Inventors: US-B1- 6 180 595
• VLAD, Florin-Joseph
Annandale
NJ 08801 (US)
EP 2 629 807 B1

Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent
Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the
Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been
paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)

 EP 2 629 807 B1

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

5 [0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/405,957,
filed October 22, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

10 [0002] The present invention relates to air freshener devices comprising clear, stable, aqueous rich liquid compositions
with customable level of fragrance ingredients, herein named perfume, and improved perfume release performance,
regardless the physical characteristics of fragrance ingredients such as ClogP values.
[0003] Also, the invention provides air freshener devices for use with such compositions; the devices can include, e.g.,
an emanating surface, which allows the diffusion of perfume, or an actuator nozzle, which allows the spraying of perfume.
15
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Air fresheners are conventionally used to provide a desired fragrance to ambient air, or to mask, neutralize or
counteract undesirable odors in the air, or to achieve a combination of these functions.
20 [0005] Many liquid air fresheners are commercially available in different formats such as reed or wick diffusers, electrical
plug-in devices, aerosols, or sprays (see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 6,180,595; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0023569,
and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0095097. The perfume composition of the air freshener may be a fragrance
concentrate, a true solution, or a colloidal solution such as a microemulsion. However, conventional liquid air fresheners
often suffer from certain disadvantages and limitations. For example, air freshener performance may be unsatisfactory
25 due to limited or even unacceptable fragrance performance, product longevity, esthetical appearance, or temperature
product stability over time. Certain air fresheners include high levels of volatile organic compound (VOC) solvents, which
are disfavored due to environmental and safety concern, and may raise regulatory concerns. US 585343 discloses low
VOC perfume formulation.
[0006] Also, many conventional air freshener formulations, including aqueous-based formulations, impose restrictions
30 in fragrance creativity and limitations on the level of fragrance that can be employed due to fragrance solubility or
solubilization issues. For example, perfumed liquid air fresheners containing high level of water often require large
amounts of solubilizers, such as surfactants, in order to achieve the desired clarity and stability of the final products.
Such products may contain excess amounts of solubilizers with respect to the perfume; sometimes the weight ratio of
surfactant to perfume is at least 1.5:1 or even higher, which may have unsatisfactory impact on fragrance performance
35 over time, such as fragrance release and fragrance perception (intensity, character, and the like). The use of high levels
of solubilizers can lead to unacceptable product performance, such as limited performance over time due to suppressed
or poor fragrance release through delivery device such as wicks or reeds as a result of the solubilizer clogging the
capillary channels in the diffuser. Similarly, high levels of solubilizers can result in clogging of the actuator in nozzle sprays.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need for improved air freshener formulations to address these and other problems.
40
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides stable, clear-transparent, perfumed aqueous formulations (such as microemul-
sions) with low level of VOCs (e.g., below the 18% w/w VOC limit imposed by CARB (California Air Resources Board)
45 for air fresheners), which displays excellent fragrance performance during usage, such as fragrance longevity, fragrance
intensity and character, and excellent shelf stability. The fragrance can be released into ambient air through dispersing
devices such as wicks, reeds, or any natural or synthetic porous diffusers, as well as actuators associated with nozzle
sprays. The formulations of the present invention impose fewer restrictions in fragrance creativity to be employed in
water-rich products designed for liquid air fresheners. The compositions of the present invention advantageously can
50 offer low-cost formulations for products that provide fragrance for at least 14 days, e.g., up to 90 days, while the product’s
clarity is maintained until the end of usage (e.g., when the reservoir is completely emptied of product).
[0009] In one aspect, the invention provides a stable, clear-transparent, low viscosity liquid air freshener composition
comprising: (a) 0.1% to 40% (e.g., 0.5% to 40% or 0.1% to 40%) by weight of an oil phase comprising at least one
fragrance ingredient (b) a low VOC or completely non-VOC fragrance vehicle comprising at least one mono-, di-, or
55 polyglycol ethers; (c) a low level of amphiphilic solubilizing agent, such as surfactants; and (d) at least 51.0% by weight
of water, wherein the weight percentages are expressed as weight/weight relative to the total weight of liquid composition.
[0010] In another aspect, the invention provides an air freshener system, comprising (i) a container; (ii) stable, clear-
transparent, low viscosity liquid air freshener composition comprising: (a) 0.1% to 40% (e.g., 0.5% to 40% or 0.1% to

2
 EP 2 629 807 B1

40%) by weight of an oil phase comprising at least one fragrance ingredient (b) a low VOC or completely non-VOC
fragrance vehicle comprising at least one mono-, di-, or polyglycol ethers; (c) a low level of amphiphilic solubilizing agent,
such as surfactants; and (d) at least 51.0% by weight of water, wherein the weight percentages are expressed as
weight/weight relative to the total weight of liquid composition; and (iii) a diffuser, e.g., one or wicks, reeds, or any other
5 material that allows the diffusion of liquid air freshener composition into ambient air, e.g., a diffuser that linearly releases
the liquid composition into surrounding air for a customizable length of time; or (iv) a nozzle with an actuator for spraying
the composition into surrounding air.
[0011] In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of providing a fragrance to ambient air, the method com-
prising diffusing or spraying a composition of the invention as described herein into the ambient air.
10 [0012] In one aspect, the invention provides a liquid air freshener composition, the composition comprising:

(a) 0.1 % to 40% by weight of an oil phase comprising a fragrance;

(b) at least 51.0% by weight of water;
(c) a fragrance vehicle comprising at least one mono-, di-, or polyglycol ether; and
15 (d) an amphiphilic solubilizing agent.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the composition comprises:

(a) 0.5% to 60% by weight of an oil phase comprising a fragrance;

20 (b) at least 51.0% by weight of water;
(c) a fragrance vehicle comprising at least one mono-, di-, or polyglycol ether; and
(d) an amphiphilic solubilizing agent.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the composition comprises:

25
(a) 0.1 to 40% by weight of an oil phase comprising a fragrance;
(b) an amphiphilic oil solubilizing agent comprising one or more ionic, nonionic, cationic or amphoteric surfactants,
or a mixture thereof;
(c) at least 51.0% by weight of water; and
30 (d) a low VOC fragrance vehicle comprising at least one linear, branched, cyclic, or aromatic mono-, di- or poly-
glycol-ether.

[0015] In certain embodiments, the composition is a clear isotropic composition. In certain embodiments, the compo-
sition is a microemulsion or nanoemulsion. In certain embodiments, the composition is a solution. In certain embodiments,
35 the solution is a micellar solution.
[0016] In certain embodiments, the fragrance component comprises one or more fragrance components selected from
the group consisting of ketones, aldehydes, esters, alcohols, ethers, terpenes, natural essential oils, and synthetic musk.
In certain embodiments, the fragrance component is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons,
terpene hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic alcohols, terpene alcohols, aromatic alcohols, aliphatic ethers,
40 aromatic ethers, aliphatic oxides, terpene oxides, aliphatic aldehydes, terpene aldehydes, hydrogenated aromatic alde-
hydes, thioaldehydes, aromatic aldehydes, aliphatic ketones, terpene ketones, hydrogenated aromatic ketones, cyclic
ketones, aromatic ketones, acetals, ketals, phenols, phenol ethers, fatty acids, hydrogenated aromatic carboxylic acids,
aromatic carboxylic acids, acid amides, aliphatic lactones, macrocyclic lactones, terpene lactones, hydrogenated aro-
matic lactones, aromatic lactones, aliphatic esters, furan carboxylic esters, alicyclic carboxylic esters, cyclohexylcarbox-
45 ylic esters, terpene carboxylic esters, aromatic carboxylic esters, nitromusks, nitriles, amines, pyridines, quinolines,
pyrroles, and indoles.
[0017] In certain embodiments, the amphiphilic solubilizing agent comprises one or more surfactants or hydrotropic
molecules, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the amphiphilic solubilizing agent comprises one or more
ionic, nonionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric surfactants. In certain embodiments, the amphiphilic solubilizing agent
50 comprises one or more anionic surfactants. In certain embodiments, the one or more anionic surfactants comprises a
sulfosuccinate ester.
[0018] In certain embodiments, the fragrance vehicle comprises 2-(2-butoxy-ethoxy)ethanol or (2-methoxy-methyl-
ethoxy)propanol.
[0019] In certain embodiments, the air freshener further comprises one or more antioxidants, UV stabilizers, buffer
55 agents, pH controlling mixtures, malodor control agents, and antibacterial agents.
[0020] In certain embodiments, the air freshener composition has 18% or less volatile organic compounds as defined
by CARB.
[0021] In certain embodiments, the fragrance vehicle is a low VOC fragrance vehicle. In certain embodiments, the low

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VOC fragrance vehicle is substantially a non-VOC fragrance vehicle.

[0022] In certain embodiments, the fragrance vehicle comprises a material selected from the group consisting of
dihydric alcohol alkyl ethers; dihydric alcohol alkyl ethers; dihydric alcohol ether esters; glycerol monoalkyl ethers; POP
butyl ether, POP-POE butyl ether, tripolyoxypropylene glycerol ether, POP glycerol ether, POP glycerol ether phosphate,
5 and POP.POE pentaerythritol ether; or a mixture thereof. In certain embodiments, the dihydric alcohol alkyl ether is
selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol
monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, ethylene glycol monohexyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-2-methyl-
hexyl ether, ethylene glycol isoamyl ether, ethylene glycol benzyl ether, ethylene glycol isopropyl ether, ethylene glycol
dimethyl ether, ethylene, glycol diethyl ether, and ethylene glycol dibutyl ether. In certain embodiments, the dihydric
10 alcohol alkyl ether is selected from the group consisting of diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol mo-
noethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, dieth-
ylene glycol butyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ethyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol
monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl
ether, propylene glycol isopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol ethyl ether, and dipropylene
15 glycol butyl ether.
[0023] In certain embodiments, the dihydric alcohol ether ester is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol
monomethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, ethylene
glycol monophenyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol diadipate, ethylene glycol disuccinate, diethylene glycol monoethyl
ether acetate, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol
20 monoethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monopropyl ether acetate, and propylene glycol monophenyl ether acetate.
In certain embodiments, the glycerol monoalkyl ether is selected from the group consisting of chimyl alcohol, selachyl
alcohol, and butyl alcohol.
[0024] In certain embodiments, the composition comprises between 10% to 30% fragrance vehicle.
[0025] In certain embodiments, the liquid composition comprises a solubilizing agent at a weight ratio between 0.1:1
25 to 1:1 relative to the weight of the oil phase.
[0026] In certain embodiments, the anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium laurate, and
sodium palmitate; higher alkyl sulfuric ester salts, such as sodium laurylsulfate and potassium laurylsulfate; alkyl ether
sulfuric ester salts, such as triethanolamine POE laurylsulfate and sodium POE laurylsulfate; N-acylsarcosinic acids,
such as sodium lauroylsarconinate, higher fatty acid amidosulfonates, such as sodium N-myristoyl-N-methyltaurine,
30 sodium palm oil fatty acid methyltauride, and sodium laurylmethyltauride; phosphoric ester salts, such as sodium POE
oleyl ether phosphate and POE stearyl ether phosphate; sulfosuccinates, such as sodium di-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate,
and sodium lauryl polypropylene glycol sulfosuccinate; alkylbenzenesulfonates, such as sodium linear dodecylbenze-
nesulfonate, triethanolamine dodecylbenzenesulfonate, and linear dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid; N-acylglutamates, such
as monosodium N-lauroylglutamate, disodium N-stearoylglutamate, monosodium N-myristoyl-L-glutamate; higher fatty
35 acid ester sulfuric ester salts, such as sodium hydrogenated coconut oil fatty acid glycerol sulfate; sulfated oils, such as
Turkey red oil; POE alkyl ether carboxylic acids, POE alkyl allyl, ether carboxylates, α-olefinsulfonates, higher fatty acid
ester sulfonates, secondary alcohol sulfuric ester salts, higher fatty acid alkylolamide sulfuric ester salts, sodium lauroyl
monoethanolamide succinate, ditriethanolamine N-palmitoylaspartate, and sodium casein
[0027] In certain embodiments, the cationic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of stearyltrimethylammo-
40 nium chloride and lauryltrimethylammonium chloride; dialkyldimethylammonium salts, such as distearyldimethylammo-
nium chloride, alkylpyridinium salts, such as poly-N,N’-dimethyl-3,5-methylenepiperidinium chloride; alkyl quaternary
ammonium salts, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium salts, alkylisoquinolinium salts, dialkylmorpholinium salts, POE
alkylamines, alkylamine salts, polyamine fatty acid derivatives, amyl alcohol fatty acid derivatives, benzalkonium chloride,
and benzethonium chloride.
45 [0028] In certain embodiments, the amphoteric surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium 2-undecyl-
N,N,N-(hydroxyethylcarboxymethyl)-2-imidazoline and disodium 2-cocoyl-2-imidazolinium hydroxide-1-carboxyethyl-
oxy; 2-heptadecyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethylimidazolinium betaine, alkyl betaines, amide betaines, and sulfo-
betaines.
[0029] In certain embodiments, the composition is an oil-in-water microemulsion, an emulsion or a nanoemulsion.
50 [0030] In certain embodiments, the composition is a solution. In certain embodiments, the solution is a micellar solution.
[0031] In another aspect, the invention provides an air freshener system, comprising:

(i) a container;
(ii) an air freshener composition of the invention as described herein; and
55 (iii) a diffuser for diffusing the liquid composition into surrounding air.

[0032] In certain embodiments, the diffuser is a natural or synthetic porous material that allows the diffusion of the
composition. In certain embodiments, the diffuser comprises one or more wicks, reeds, or natural or synthetic porous

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 EP 2 629 807 B1

diffusers. In certain embodiments, the diffuser is a wick or a reed diffuser.

[0033] In certain embodiments, the air freshener system further comprises removable means for preventing diffusion
of the liquid composition into surrounding air.
[0034] In certain embodiments, the air freshener system releases fragrance for about 6 to about 14 weeks after opening.
5 In certain embodiments, the air freshener system releases fragrance for at least 2 weeks after opening.
[0035] In another aspect, the invention provides an air freshener system, comprising:

(i) a container;
(ii) an air freshener composition of the invention as described herein; and
10 (iii) means for carrying the liquid composition from the container to an emanating nozzle for spraying the said
composition; and
(iv) an actuator device for controlling the spraying of the said liquid composition from the container into the surrounding
air environment.

15 [0036] In another aspect, the invention provides a method of providing a fragrance to ambient air, the method comprising
diffusing a liquid air freshener composition with a device of the invention as described herein, into the ambient air.
[0037] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for perfuming, refreshing, disinfecting or cleaning ambient
air, the method comprising diffusing a liquid air freshener composition of the invention as described herein into the
ambient air.
20 [0038] In certain embodiments, a device of the invention is used to diffuse the liquid air freshener composition of the
invention into the ambient air.
[0039] In still another aspect, the invention provides a consumer article comprising a composition of the invention as
described herein that can be diffused or sprayed in rooms and open spaces, closets, cupboards and other closed
environments.
25 [0040] Other aspects, embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the
description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

30 [0041] The invention provides a stable, clear-transparent, air freshener composition and device to perfume, refresh
or to mask, neutralize or counteract undesirable odours in the air and the surroundings thereof, or to achieve a combination
of the mentioned functions.
[0042] In one aspect, the compositions of the invention are stable, clear-translucent, low viscosity liquid fragrance
compositions which, in use, may be contained in a vessel or container means to carry the liquid composition from the
35 containing vessel either to an emanating surface from which the composition can diffuse into the surroundings or can
be released by spraying through a nozzle. The compositions of the invention include

(a) 0.1 % to 40% by weight of an oil phase comprising a fragrance;

(b) at least 51.0% by weight of water;
40 (c) a fragrance vehicle comprising at least one mono-, di-, or polyglycol ether; and
(d) an amphiphilic solubilizing agent.

[0043] In certain embodiments, the liquid composition comprises: 0.1 to 40% w/w oil-phase (also referred to herein
as "perfume"); a low VOC or completely non-VOC fragrance vehicle, which contains one or more mono-, di- or poly-
45 glycol ethers, such as 2-(2-butoxy-ethoxy)ethanol or (2-methoxy-methoxylethoxy) propanol or established mixtures there-
of;

(i) an amphiphilic solubilizing agent or agents, such as surfactants;

(ii) at least 51.0% w/w water;
50
wherein the weight percentages being relative to the total weight of the liquid composition.
[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention the fragrance vehicle is present in the liquid composition in a
concentration between 10 to 30% w/w, relative to the total weight of liquid composition, and the weight ratio of amphiphilic
solubilizing agent to oil phase (perfume) is less than or equal to 1, e.g., 0.1:1 to about 1:1.
55 [0045] In certain embodiments, the composition is a stable, clear-transparent oil-in-water microemulsion, emulsion or
nanoemulsion. As used herein, the term "cleartransparent" refers to a composition that transmits light without significant
visible scattering or distortion when the light scattered is measured at an angle of 90°. In certain embodiments, the
composition has clarity or transparency of between 0 and 100 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units), preferably between

5
 EP 2 629 807 B1

0 and 50 NTU, when 15 measured with light wavelength between 400 and 600 nm in a 2.5 em cell at room temperature
(25°C). In certain embodiments, the composition is a solution. In certain embodiments, the solution is a micellar solution.
[0046] The compositions of the present invention can be prepared according to any suitable method, some of which
are known in the art. A common method includes dissolving the solubilizing agent and the low VOC fragrance vehicle
5 into the water to form a clear-translucent micellar solution. To the resulting micellar solution is added, under normal
stirring, the perfume (oil phase) when a clear-translucent oil-in-water microemulsion forms. Typically, a clear-translucent
product is obtained immediately.
[0047] In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for preparing a liquid air freshener composition of the
invention. The method comprises the steps of (a) combining a solubilizing agent and a low VOC fragrance vehicle (as
10 described herein) with water to form a clear-translucent micellar solution, and (b) to the resulting micellar solution, adding
(with optional stirring) the perfume (oil phase) to obtain a liquid air freshener composition of the invention (e.g., a clear-
translucent oil-in-water microemulsion).
[0048] The invention also provides a composition liquid air freshener composition prepared by combining

15 (a) 0.1% to 40% by weight of an oil phase comprising a fragrance;

(b) at least 51.0% by weight of water;

(c) a fragrance vehicle comprising at least one mono-, di-, or polyglycol ether; and
20
(d) an amphiphilic solubilizing agent.

[0049] The liquid compositions of the invention also display excellent stability, e.g., clarity, no phase separation, within
a reasonable period of time. In cerain embodiments, a composition of the invention is stable for at least 15 days, or at
25 least 30 days at room temperature, or at a temperature between 10°C and 50°C. In certain embodiments, a composition
of the invention is stable for at least about 6 months at a temperature between 5°C and 45°C. However, the range of
temperatures and stability of the composition depend at least in part on the amount and nature of the perfume oil, amount
and composition of fragrance vehicle, and the amount and type of the solubilizing agent. Other optional ingredients,
whether oil-soluble or water-soluble, can influence the long term product stability. In general, formulations are selected
30 to provide acceptable stability as described herein.
[0050] The term perfume or "fragranced ingredients" refer to fragrance components commonly employed in the art in
an appropriate combination, such as ketones, aldehydes, esters, alcohols, ethers, terpenes, natural essential oils, and
synthetic musk. In other words, the fragranced ingredients that can be used in the invention are not particularly limited,
and include those usually used in various fragranced products known in the art, such as preparations for external
35 application to skin (e.g., cosmetics and pharmaceuticals), detergents and cleansers for washing skin, hair, clothes, and
hard surfaces, bleachers, and softeners. Suitable fragranced ingredients include synthetic and natural materials (e.g.,
of animal or plant origin). Examples of fragranced ingredients include hydrocarbons, such as aliphatic hydrocarbons,
terpene hydrocarbons, and aromatic hydrocarbons; alcohols, such as aliphatic alcohols, terpene alcohols, and aromatic
alcohols; ethers, such as aliphatic ethers and aromatic ethers; oxides, such as aliphatic oxides and terpene oxides,
40 aldehydes, such as aliphatic aldehydes, terpene aldehydes, hydrogenated aromatic aldehydes, thioaldehydes, and
aromatic aldehydes; ketones, such as aliphatic ketones, terpene ketones, hydrogenated aromatic ketones, cyclic ketones,
and aromatic ketones; acetals, ketals, phenols, phenol ethers; acids, such as fatty acids, hydrogenated aromatic car-
boxylic acids, and aromatic carboxylic acids; acid amides; lactones, such as aliphatic lactones, macrocyclic lactones,
terpene lactones, hydrogenated aromatic lactones’ and aromatic lactones; esters, such as aliphatic esters, furan car-
45 boxylic esters, alicyclic carboxylic esters, cyclohexylcarboxylic esters, terpene carboxylic esters, and aromatic carboxylic
esters; and nitrogen-containing compounds, such as nitromusks, nitriles, amines, pyridines, quinolines, pyrrole, and
indole. Typical fragranced ingredients useful in the compositions and devices of the present invention include: C6 -C12
aldehydes, anisaldehyde, acetal R, acetophenone, acetylcedrene, adoxal, allylamyl glycolate, allyl cyclohexanepropi-
onate, α-damascone, β-damascone, δ-damascone, ambrettolide, ambroxan, amylcinnamic aldehyde, amylcinnamic
50 aldehyde dimethylacetal, amyl valerianate, amyl salicylate, isoamyl acetate, isoamyl salicylate, aurantiol, acetyl eugenol,
bacdanol, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl salicylate, bergamyl acetate, bornyl acetate, butyl butyrate, p-t-butyl-
cyclohexanol, p-t-butylcyclohexyl acetate, o-t-butylcyclohexanol, benzaldehyde, benzyl formate, caryophyllene, cash-
merane, carvone, cedramber, cedryl acetate, cedrol, celestolide, cinnamic alcohol, cinnamic aldehyde, cis-jasmone,
citral, citral dimethyl acetal, citrasal, citronellal, citronellol, citronellyl acetate, citronellyl formate, citronellyl nitrile, cyclaset,
55 cyclamen aldehyde, cyclaprop, caron, coumarin, cinnamyl acetate, γ-C6-C13 lactone, dimethylbenzylcarbinol, dihydro-
jasmon, dihydrolinalool, dihydromyrcenol, dimetol, dimyrcetol, diphenyl oxide, ethyl vanillin, eugenol, fruitate, fenchyl
alcohol, phenylethyl phenylacetate, galaxolide, γ-C6-C13 lactone, geraniol, geranyl acetate, geranyl formate, geranyl
nitrile, hedion, helional, heliotropin, cis-3-hexanol, cis-3-hexenyl acetate, cis-3-hexenyl salicylate, hexylcinnamic alde-

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 EP 2 629 807 B1

hyde, hexyl salicylate, hyacinth dimethyl acetal, hydrotropic alcohol, hydroxycitronellal, indole, ionone, isobornyl acetate,
isocyclocitral, Iso E Super, isoeugenol, isononyl acetate, isobutylquinoline, jasmal, jamolactone, jasmopirane, corvone,
ligustoral, lilial, lime oxide, limonene, linalool, linalool oxide, linalyl acetate, lyral, manzanate, myol, menthanyl acetate,
menthonate, methyl anthranilate, methyl eugenol, menthol, α-methylionone, β-methylionone, γ-methylionone, methyl
5 isoeugenol, methyl lavender ketone, methyl salicylate, muguet aldehyde, mugol, musk TM-II, musk 781, musk C14,
musk T, musk ketone, musk tibetene, musk moskene, myrac aldehyde, methyl phenyl acetate, nerol, neryl acetate,
nopyl acetate, nopyl alcohol, neobergamate, oak moss No. 1, orivone, oxyphenylon, p-cresyl methyl ether, pentalide,
phenylethyl alcohol, phenylethyl acetate, phenylacetaldehyde, dimethyl acetal, α-pinene, rubafuran, rosephenone, rose
oxide, Sandalore, Sandela, Santalex, Santalinol, styralyl acetate, styralyl propionate, terpineol, terpinyl acetate, tetrahy-
10 drolinalool, tetrahydrolinalyl acetate, tetrahydrogeraniol, tetrahydrogeranyl acetate, tonalide, traseolide, tripral, thymol,
vanillin, verdox, yara yara, anis oil, bay oil, bois de-rose oil, cananga oil, cardamom oil, cassia oil, cedarwood oil, orange
oil, mandarin oil, tangerine oil, basil oil, nutmeg oil, citronella oil, clove oil, coriander oil, elemi oil, eucaryptus oil, fennel
oil, galbanum oil, geranium oil, hiba oil, hinoki oil, jasmine oil, lavandin oil, lavender oil, lemon oil, lemongrass oil, lime
oil, neroli oil, oak moss oil, ocotea oil, patchouli oil, peppermint oil, perilla oil, petitgrain oil, pine oil, rose roil, rosemary
15 oil, camphor oil, ho leaf oil, clary sage oil, sandalwood oil, spearmint oil, spike lavender oil, star anise oil, thyme oil, tonka
bean tincture, turpentine oil, vanilla bean tincture, vetiver oil, bergamot oil, ylang ylang oil, grapefruit oil, yuzu (Citrus
Junos Tanaka) oil, benzoin, balsam peru, balsam tolu, tuberose oil, musk tincture, castrium tincture, civet tincture, and
ambergris tincture.
[0051] As mentioned above, the perfume oil represents between 0.1% to 60% w/w of the total weight of the entire
20 liquid composition, and most preferably between 4 to 25%, or 5-20%, w/w of the total weight of the entire liquid composition.
[0052] In certain embodiments, the oil phase comprises at least 60% w/w fragrance ingredients, more preferably at
least 90% w/w of fragrance or perfuming ingredients. In certain embodiments, the fragrance comprises one or more
suitable solvents in quantity of up to 40% w/w of the oil phase, but, in certain embodiments, less than 10% w/w. As
examples, suitable solvents include polar or non-polar low molecular weight solvents such as isoparaffins, hydrocarbons,
25 silicon oils, glycols, glycol ethers, glycol ether esters, alcohols, or ketones.
[0053] The liquid composition of the invention also contains a fragrance vehicle, where the fragrance vehicle is miscible,
partially miscible, or at least dispersible in both perfuming oil phase and water phase. The fragrance vehicle includes a
single solvent or blend of solvents with a broad range of volatilities and polarities selected from the class of linear,
branched, cyclic, or aromatic mono-, di- or poly-glycol-ethers or any combination thereof.
30 [0054] Non-limiting examples of suitable solvents from the above-mentioned classes are as follows: dihydric alcohol
alkyl ethers, such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl
ether, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, ethylene glycol monohexyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-2-methylehxyl ether,
ethylene glycol isoamyl ether, ethylene glycol benzyl ether, ethylene glycol isopropyl ether, ethylene glycol: dimethyl
ether, ethylene, glycol diethyl ether, and ethylene glycol dibutyl ether; dihydric alcohol alkyl ethers, such as diethylene
35 glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl
ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, diethylene glycol butyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ethyl ether, triethylene glycol
monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl
ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol isopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene
glycol ethyl ether, and dipropylene glycol butyl ether; dihydric alcohol ether esters, such as ethylene glycol monomethyl
40 ether acetate, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol
monophenyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol diadipate, ethylene glycol disuccinate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether
acetate, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol mo-
noethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monopropyl ether acetate, and propylene glycol monophenyl ether acetate;
glycerol monoalkyl ethers, such as chimyl alcohol, selachyl alcohol, and butyl alcohol; POP butyl ether, POP-POE butyl
45 ether, tripolyoxypropylene glycerol ether, POP glycerol ether, POP glycerol ether phosphate, and POP.POE pentaer-
ythritol ether.
[0055] The above-mentioned fragrance vehicle compounds, which by their nature are solvents, have been found to
enhance the solubility of otherwise less-soluble or immiscible organic compounds in water. The fragrance vehicle com-
ponent allows water solubilization of a high level of fragrance oil with an low amount of solubilizing agent, whenever this
50 is needed, compared with formulations containing the same amount of the same perfume, while the clarity and stability
of the formulation are excellent, as is the release of the fragrance from the air-freshener.
[0056] In particular, the fragrance vehicle may be advantageously selected from mono-, di-, or poly-glycol ethers. In
certain embodiments, the fragrance vehicle comprises 2-(2-butoxy-ethoxy)ethanol or (2-methoxy-methoxylethoxy) pro-
panol or mixtures thereof.
55 [0057] According to particular embodiments of the invention, the amount of fragrance vehicle is between 10% to 30%
by weight of the entire composition. It will be appreciated that the amount of fragrance vehicle needed to obtain a stable,
clear, low viscosity composition having improved air-freshener performance depends on the specific nature of the perfume
oil, the level of the perfume oil, the amount of solubilizing agent and the composition of the solubilizing agent. On eof

7
 EP 2 629 807 B1

ordinary skill in the art will be able to determine an appropriate amount of fragrance vehicle using no more than routine
experimentation in view of the disclosure herein.
[0058] As discussed herein, the liquid composition of the invention also includes a solubilizing agent (e.g., an amphiphilic
solubilizing agent) that includes one or more anionic, cationic or amphoteric surfactants or a combination thereof.
5 [0059] Suitable solubilizing agents are selected from the group consisting of:

A. anionic surfactants, such as soap bases, sodium laurate, and sodium palmitate; higher alkyl sulfuric ester salts,
such as sodium laurylsulfate and potassium laurylsulfate; alkyl ether sulfuric ester salts, such as triethanolamine
POE laurylsulfate and sodium POE laurylsulfate; N-acylsarcosinic acids, such as sodium lauroylsarconinate, higher
10 fatty acid amidosulfonates, such as sodium N-myristoyl-N-methyltaurine, sodium palm oil fatty acid methyltauride,
and sodium laurylmethyltauride; phosphoric ester salts, such as sodium POE oleyl ether phosphate and POE stearyl
ether phosphate; sulfosuccinates, such as sodium di-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate, and sodium lauryl polypropylene
glycol sulfosuccinate; alkylbenzenesulfonates, such as sodium linear dodecylbenzenesulfonate, triethanolamine
dodecylbenzenesulfonate, and linear dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid; N-acylglutamates, such as monosodium N-
15 lauroylglutamate, disodium N-stearoylglutamate, monosodium N-myristoyl-L-glutamate; higher fatty acid ester sul-
furic ester salts, such as sodium hydrogenated coconut oil fatty acid glycerol sulfate; sulfated oils, such as Turkey
red oil; POE alkyl ether carboxylic acids, POE alkyl allyl, ether carboxylates, α-olefinsulfonates, higher fatty acid
ester sulfonates, secondary alcohol sulfuric ester salts, higher fatty acid alkylolamide sulfuric ester salts, sodium
lauroyl monoethanolamide succinate, ditriethanolamine N-palmitoylaspartate, and sodium casein;
20 B. cationic surfactants, such as stearyltrimethylammonium chloride and lauryltrimethylammonium chloride; dialkyld-
imethylammonium salts, such as distearyldimethylammonium chloride, alkylpyridinium salts, such as poly-N,N’-
dimethyl-3,5-methylenepiperidinium chloride; alkyl quaternary ammonium salts, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium
salts, alkylisoquinolinium salts, dialkylmorpholinium salts, POE alkylamines, alkylamine salts, polyamine fatty acid
derivatives, amyl alcohol fatty acid derivatives, benzalkonium chloride, and benzethonium chloride.
25 C. amphoteric surfactants, such as sodium 2-undecyl-N,N,N-(hydroxyethylcarboxymethyl)-2-imidazoline and diso-
dium 2-cocoyl-2-imidazolinium hydroxide-1-carboxyethyloxy; 2-heptadecyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethylimida-
zolinium betaine, alkyl betaines, amide betaines, and sulfobetaines.
D. lipophilic nonionic surfactants, such as sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monoisostearate, sorbitan monolaurate,
sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan sesquioleate, sorbitan trioleate, diglycerol sorbitan penta-
30 2-ethylhexylate, and diglycerol sorbitan tetra-2-ethylhexylate; glycerol or polyglycerol fatty acids esters, such as
glycerol mono-cotton seed oil fatty acid ester, glycerol monoerucate, glycerol sesquioleate, glycerol monostearate,
glycerol α,α’-oleate pyroglutamate, and glycerol monostearate maleate; propylene glycol fatty acid esters, such as
propylene glycol monostearate; hydrogenated castor oil derivatives, and glycerol alkyl ethers.
E. hydrophilic nonionic surfactants, such as POE sorbitan monooleate, POE sorbitan monostearate, POE sorbitan
35 monooleate, and POE sorbitan tetraoleate; POE sorbitol fatty acid esters, such as POE sorbitol monolaurate, POE
sorbitol monooleate, POE sorbitol pentaoleate, and POE sorbitol monostearate; POE glycerol fatty acid esters, such
as POE glycerol monostearate, POE glycerol monoisostearate, and POE glycerol triisostearate; POE fatty acid
esters, such as POE monooleate, POE distearate, POE monodioleate, and ethylene glycol distearate; POE alkyl
ethers, such as POE lauryl ether, POE oleyl ether, POE stearyl ether, POE behenyl ether, POE-2-octyldodecyl
40 ether, and POE-cholestanol ether; POE alkyl phenyl ethers, such as POE octyl phenyl ether, POE nonyl phenyl
ether, and POE dinonylphenyl ether; Pluronic type surfactants, such as Pluronic; POE.POP alkyl ethers, such as
POE.POP cetyl ether, POE.POP 2-decyltetradecyl ether, POE.POP monobutyl ether, POE.POP hydrogenated
lanolin, and POE-POP glycerol ether; tetraPOE.tetraPOP ethylenediamine condensates, such as Tetronic; POE
castor oil or hydrogenated castor oil derivatives, such as POE castor oil, POE hydrogenated castor oil, POE hydro-
45 genated castor oil monoisostearate, POE hydrogenated castor oil triisostearate, POE hydrogenated castor oil
monopyroglutamate monoisostearate, and POE hydrogenated castor oil maleate; POE beeswax lanolin derivatives,
such as POE sorbitol beeswax; alkanolamides, such as coconut oil fatty acid diethanolamide, lauric acid monoeth-
anolamide, and fatty acid isopropanolamides; POE propylene glycol fatty acid esters, POE alkylamines, POE fatty
acid amides, sucrose fatty acid esters, POE nonylphenyl formaldehyde condensates, alkylethoxydimethylamine
50 oxides, and trioleyl phosphate; and
F. mixtures thereof.

[0060] In certain embodiments, the solubilizing agent comprises one or more anionic surfactants.
[0061] In all embodiments of the invention the level of solubilizing agent is very low, e.g., the weight ratio of solubilizing
55 gent, such as surfactant, to fragrance oil is below 1:1, preferably below 0.3:1.
[0062] The liquid air-freshener composition of the invention also includes water, which is preferably distilled or de-
ionized water.
[0063] In certain embodiments, the air freshener composition further comprises one or more additional aditives, such

8
 EP 2 629 807 B1

as antioxidants, dyes, UV stabilizers, buffer agents, pH controlling mixtures, malodor control agents, and antibacterial
agents, sa are known in the art.
[0064] In certain embodiments, the composition has 18% or less volatile organic compounds (VOC) as defined by
CARB. In certain embodiments, a volatile organic compound is any organic compound whose boiling point is in the
5 range from (50 °C to 100 °C) to (240 °C to 260 °C), corresponding to having saturation vapour pressures at 25 °C greater
than 102 kPa.
[0065] In another aspect, the invention provides an air freshener system, comprising:

(i) a container;
10 (ii) a composition of the invention as described herein:
(iii) a diffuser for diffusing the liquid composition into surrounding air or
(iv) a nozzle for spraying the liquid composition into surrounding air.

[0066] The container can be made of any suitable material, e.g., glass, plastic, and the like, and in certain embodimens,
15 the container can be sealed. In certain embodiments, the diffuser comprises one or more wicks, reeds, or other natural
or synthetic porous diffusing devices. In certain embodiments, the air freshener further comprises removable means for
preventing diffusion of the liquid composition into surrounding air (e.g., a lid, cap, or other removable closure for the
container). In certain embodiments, the air freshener releases fragrance for at least 2 weeks after opening or activation.
[0067] In another aspect, the invention provides a consumer article comprising a liquid composition as described
20 herein. A consumer article includes, e.g., a secented article, an air freshener device, a spray (e.g., an aerosol or pump
spray canister), and the like.
[0068] In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of providing a fragrance to ambient air, the method
comprising diffusing or spraying a liquid air freshener composition according to the invention into the ambient air.
[0069] Thus, in certain embodiments, the invention provides:
25
(I) a liquid air freshener device for perfuming, freshening, or malodor cleaning, neutralizing or counteracting the
surroundings that comprises:

A. a vessel or container carrying a liquid composition that contains:

30
i. 0.1 to 60% (e.g., 0.1 to 40%) w/w oil-phase (also referred to herein as "perfume");
ii. at least 10% (e.g., at least 30%) w/w water-phase;
iii. between 10% to 30% low VOC or substantially completely non-VOC fragrance vehicle, which contains
one or more mono-, di- or poly-glycol ethers, such as 2-(2-butoxy-ethoxy)ethanol or (2-methoxy-methoxy-
35 lethoxy) propanol or mixtures thereof;
iv. a low level of amphiphilic solubilizing agents such as surfactants (e.g., the weight ratio of surfactant to
fragrance oil is below 1:1, preferably below 0.3:1);

weight percentages being relative to the total weight of liquid composition unless otherwise stated;
40 B. an emanating surface capable of providing for diffusion of the mentioned liquid composition;
C. means for carrying the said liquid composition from the container vessel to the emanating surface or device;
and
D. optionally, removable means, usable by a user, for preventing diffusion of the liquid composition prior to the
activation of the air freshener device.
45

The means for carrying the said liquid composition from the container vessel to the emanating surface or device
can be any element known in the art for carrying or transporting a liquid composition, e.g., a tube, channel, pipe,
wick, reed, and the like.
50 The removable means for preventing diffusion of the liquid composition prior to the activation of the air freshener
device can be a removable cap, lid, closure, valve, or any other element or structure that can prevent diffusion of
the liquid composition prior to the activation of the air freshener device, but can be opened or removed to permit
diffusion of the liquid composition upon activation of the device.
Examples of devices The air include those devices set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 10 4,663,081, issued on May 5, 1987,
55 which is incorporated by reference herein.
(II) An air freshener device according to (1), wherein component C is a wick, reeds or any natural or synthetic porous
diffuser;
(III) An air freshener device according to (1), wherein component C is a nozzle spray with actuator;

9
 EP 2 629 807 B1

(IV) An air freshener device according to (II) and (I11), wherein the weight ratio between the solubilizing agent and
oil-phase is less than 1.
(V) An air freshener device for perfuming or refreshing the surroundings that comprises:

5 E. a vessel or container carrying a liquid composition that contains:

v. 0.1 to 40% w/w oil-phase (also referred to herein as "perfume");

vi. at least 51.0% w/w water-phase;
vii. between 10% to 30% low VOC or completely non-VOC fragrance vehicle, which contains one or more
10 mono-, di- or poly-glycol ethers, specifically 2-(2-butoxy-ethoxy)ethanol or (2-methoxy-methoxylethoxy)
propanol or established mixtures of those;
viii. low level of amphiphilic solubilizing agents such as surfactants.

F. an emanating surface capable of providing for diffusion of said liquid composition;

15 G. means for carrying the said liquid composition from the container vessel to the emanating surface or device;
and
H. optionally, removable means used by user for preventing diffusion of the liquid composition prior to the
activation of the air freshener device;
I. a nozzle capable of spraying of said liquid composition;
20
(VI) An air freshener device according to (V), wherein component L is a wick, reeds or any natural or synthetic
porous diffuser;
(VII) An air freshener device according to (V), wherein component L is a nozzle spray with actuator;
(VIII) An air freshener device according to (I) or (V), wherein the solubilizing agent is selected from group consisting of:
25
A. anionic surfactants, such as soap bases, sodium laurate, and sodium palmitate; higher alkyl sulfuric ester
salts, such as sodium laurylsulfate and potassium laurylsulfate; alkyl ether sulfuric ester salts, such as trieth-
anolamine POE laurylsulfate and sodium POE laurylsulfate; N-acylsarcosinic acids, such as sodium lauroyl-
sarconinate, higher fatty acid amidosulfonates, such as sodium N-myristoyl-N-methyltaurine, sodium palm oil
30 fatty acid methyltauride, and sodium laurylmethyltauride; phosphoric ester salts, such as sodium POE oleyl
ether phosphate and POE stearyl ether phosphate; sulfosuccinates, such as sodium di-2-ethylhexylsulfosuc-
cinate, and sodium lauryl polypropylene glycol sulfosuccinate; alkylbenzenesulfonates, such as sodium linear
dodecylbenzenesulfonate, triethanolamine dodecylbenzenesulfonate, and linear dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid;
N-acylglutamates, such as monosodium N-lauroylglutamate, disodium N-stearoylglutamate, monosodium N-
35 myristoyl-L-glutamate; higher fatty acid ester sulfuric ester salts, such as sodium hydrogenated coconut oil fatty
acid glycerol sulfate; sulfated oils, such as Turkey red oil; POE alkyl ether carboxylic acids, POE alkyl allyl,
ether carboxylates, α-olefinsulfonates, higher fatty acid ester sulfonates, secondary alcohol sulfuric ester salts,
higher fatty acid alkylolamide sulfuric ester salts, sodium lauroyl monoethanolamide succinate, ditriethanolamine
N-palmitoylaspartate, and sodium casein;
40 B. cationic surfactants, such as stearyltrimethylammonium chloride and lauryltrimethylammonium chloride; di-
alkyldimethylammonium salts, such as distearyldimethylammonium chloride, alkylpyridinium salts, such as poly-
N,N’-dimethyl-3,5-methylenepiperidinium chloride; alkyl quaternary ammonium salts, alkyldimethylbenzylam-
monium salts, alkylisoquinolinium salts, dialkylmorpholinium salts, POE alkylamines, alkylamine salts,
polyamine fatty acid derivatives, amyl alcohol fatty acid derivatives, benzalkonium chloride, and benzethonium
45 chloride.
C. amphoteric surfactants, such as sodium 2-undecyl-N,N,N-(hydroxyethylcarboxymethyl)-2-imidazoline and
disodium 2-cocoyl-2-imidazolinium hydroxide-1-carboxyethyloxy; 2-heptadecyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydrox-
yethylimidazolinium betaine, alkyl betaines, amide betaines, and sulfobetaines.
D. lipophilic nonionic surfactants, such as sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monoisostearate, sorbitan monolaurate,
50 sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan sesquioleate, sorbitan trioleate, diglycerol sorbitan
penta-2-ethylhexylate, and diglycerol sorbitan tetra-2-ethylhexylate; glycerol or polyglycerol fatty acids esters,
such as glycerol mono-cotton seed oil fatty acid ester, glycerol monoerucate, glycerol sesquioleate, glycerol
monostearate, glycerol α,α’-oleate pyroglutamate, and glycerol monostearate maleate; propylene glycol fatty
acid esters, such as propylene glycol monostearate; hydrogenated castor oil derivatives, and glycerol alkyl
55 ethers.
E. hydrophilic nonionic surfactants, such as POE sorbitan monooleate, POE sorbitan monostearate, POE sorb-
itan monooleate, and POE sorbitan tetraoleate; POE sorbitol fatty acid esters, such as POE sorbitol monolaurate,
POE sorbitol monooleate, POE sorbitol pentaoleate, and POE sorbitol monostearate; POE glycerol fatty acid

10
 EP 2 629 807 B1

esters, such as POE glycerol monostearate, POE glycerol monoisostearate, and POE glycerol triisostearate;
POE fatty acid esters, such as POE monooleate, POE distearate, POE monodioleate, and ethylene glycol
distearate; POE alkyl ethers, such as POE lauryl ether, POE oleyl ether, POE stearyl ether, POE behenyl ether,
POE-2-octyldodecyl ether, and POE-cholestanol ether; POE alkyl phenyl ethers, such as POE octyl phenyl
5 ether, POE nonyl phenyl ether, and POE dinonylphenyl ether; Pluronic type surfactants, such as Pluronic;
POE.POP alkyl ethers, such as POE.POP cetyl ether, POE.POP 2-decyltetradecyl ether, POE.POP monobutyl
ether, POE.POP hydrogenated lanolin, and POE-POP glycerol ether; tetraPOE.tetraPOP ethylenediamine con-
densates, such as Tetronic; POE castor oil or hydrogenated castor oil derivatives, such as POE castor oil, POE
hydrogenated castor oil, POE hydrogenated castor oil monoisostearate, POE hydrogenated castor oil triiso-
10 stearate, POE hydrogenated castor oil monopyroglutamate monoisostearate, and POE hydrogenated castor
oil maleate; POE beeswax lanolin derivatives, such as POE sorbitol beeswax; alkanolamides, such as coconut
oil fatty acid diethanolamide, lauric acid monoethanolamide, and fatty acid isopropanolamides; POE propylene
glycol fatty acid esters, POE alkylamines, POE fatty acid amides, sucrose fatty acid esters, POE nonylphenyl
formaldehyde condensates, alkylethoxydimethylamine oxides, and trioleyl phosphate; and
15 F. mixtures thereof.

(IX) Use of a liquid composition according to (I) and (V) to confer, enhance, modify or freshen the odor and ambient
quality of a room, an open space, a closet or other closed space.

20 [0070] The invention further provides a method of using the above-mentioned liquid composition, e.g., in devices that
allow the release of the liquid composition into the surrounding air through wicks, reeds, or any natural or synthetic
porous materials, or by spraying thorough a nozzle, while the said releasing devices offer unusual product longevity and
outstanding fragrance intensity.
[0071] As described herein, in general, the liquid compositions of the invention include at least four parts: part A, the
25 perfume or oil phase, which mainly contains fragrance ingredients; part B, the fragrance vehicle, which is a solvent or
blend of solvents with a broad range of volatilities and polarities selected from the class of linear, branched, cyclic, or
aromatic mono-, di- or glycol-ethers or any combination thereof; part C, the solubilizing agent, which is a surfactant,
such as ionic or non-ionic surfactants or a combination of thereof; and part D, the water phase, which is mainly water.
[0072] In a preferred embodiment, the liquid air freshener contains:
30
ix. to 40% w/w oil-phase (also referred to herein as "perfume");
x. between 10% to 30% low VOC or substantially completely non-VOC fragrance vehicle, which contains one or
more mono-, di- or poly-glycol ethers, specifically 2-(2-butoxy-ethoxy)ethanol or (2-methoxy-methoxylethoxy) pro-
panol or established mixtures of those;
35 xi. low level of amphiphilic solubilizing agent, such as surfactants, at a weight ratio surfactant versus fragrance less
than 1;
xii. at least 51.0% w/w water.

[0073] As used herein, a low VOC or substantially completely non-VOC fragrance vehicle is a fragrance vehicle having
40 a low level of VOCs (e.g., less than 50%, less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 1%) or substantially
no VOCs.
[0074] Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that a very low interfacial tension between
perfume and external water phase is achieved through an interfacial synergistic mechanism that allows control of the
amount of solubilizing agent. A very low interfacial tension between perfume and external water-phase can be achieved
45 by bridging the lipophilic character of the perfume with the external water-phase, which can be achieved by simultaneously
matching the HLB value of the solubilizing agent with the solubilizing parameter of the fragrance vehicle and with the
overall hydrophilic lipophilic characteristics of the fragrance ingredients versus the external water-phase. Without wishing
to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that, once established, the interfacial synergistic mechanism can
allow the fragrance solubilisation into a high water content environment with a minimum amount of solubilizer. This
50 feature permits excellent robustness to solubilise a wide variety of fragrance compositions regardless of hydrophilic-
lipophilic characteristics or its ClogP value, and permits the formulation of air freshener products that can be released
into the surroundings through wicks, reeds, natural or synthetic porous materials, or the like.
[0075] The fragrance vehicle composition includes a suitable solvents from the following non-limiting classes of linear,
branched, cyclic, or aromatic mono-, di- or poly-glycol-ethers: dihydric alcohol alkyl ethers, such as ethylene glycol
55 monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether,
ethylene glycol monohexyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-2-methylehxyl ether, ethylene glycol isoamyl ether, ethylene
glycol benzyl ether, ethylene glycol isopropyl ether, ethylene glycol: dimethyl ether, ethylene, glycol diethyl ether, and
ethylene glycol dibutyl ether; dihydric alcohol alkyl ethers, such as diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol

11
 EP 2 629 807 B1

monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether,
diethylene glycol butyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ethyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol
monoethyl ether, propylene glycol
monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol isopropyl ether,
5 dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol ethyl ether, and dipropylene glycol butyl ether; dihydric alcohol ether
esters, such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol
monobutyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol diadipate, ethylene glycol disucci-
nate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl
ether acetate, propylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monopropyl ether acetate, and propylene
10 glycol monophenyl ether acetate; glycerol monoalkyl ethers, such as chimyl alcohol, selachyl alcohol, and butyl alcohol;
POP butyl ether, POP-POE butyl ether, tripolyoxypropylene glycerol ether, POP glycerol ether, POP glycerol ether
phosphate, and POP.POE pentaerythritol ether.
[0076] The solubilizing agent can be ionic or non-ionic, such as surfactants, or mixture thereof. The ionic surfactants
can be anionic, cationic or amphoteric molecules described herein or as known to the skilled artisan.
15 [0077] Non-limiting examples of suitable anionic surfactants include fatty acid soaps, such as soap bases, sodium
laurate, and sodium palmitate; higher alkyl sulfuric ester salts, such as sodium laurylsulfate and potassium laurylsulfate;
alkyl ether sulfuric ester salts, such as triethanolamine POE laurylsulfate and sodium POE laurylsulfate; N-acylsarcosinic
acids, such as sodium lauroylsarconinate, higher fatty acid amidosulfonates, such as sodium N-myristoyl-N-methyltau-
rine, sodium palm oil fatty acid methyltauride, and sodium laurylmethyltauride; phosphoric ester salts, such as sodium
20 POE oleyl ether phosphate and POE stearyl ether phosphate; sulfosuccinates, such as sodium di-2-ethylhexylsulfosuc-
cinate, sodium POE monolauroylmonoethanolamide sulfosuccinate, and sodium lauryl polypropylene glycol sulfosuc-
cinate; alkylbenzenesulfonates, such as sodium linear dodecylbenzenesulfonate, triethanolamine linear dodecylbenze-
nesulfonate, and linear dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid; N-acylglutamates, such as monosodium N-lauroylglutamate, dis-
odium N-stearoylglutamate, monosodium N-myristoyl-L-glutamate; higher fatty acid ester sulfuric ester salts, such as
25 sodium hydrogenated coconut oil fatty acid glycerol sulfate; sulfated oils, such as Turkey red oil; POE alkyl ether carboxylic
acids, POE alkyl allyl, ether carboxylates, α-olefinsulfonates, higher fatty acid ester sulfonates, secondary alcohol sulfuric
ester salts, higher fatty acid alkylolamide sulfuric ester salts, sodium lauroyl monoethanolamide succinate, ditrieth-
anolamine N-palmitoylaspartate, and sodium casein.
[0078] Non-limiting examples of suitable cationic surfactants include alkyltrimethylammonium salts, such as stearylt-
30 rimethylammonium chloride and lauryltrimethylammonium chloride; dialkyldimethylammonium salts, such as distearyld-
imethylammonium chloride, alkylpyridinium salts, such as poly-N,N’-dimethyl-3,5-methylenepiperidinium chloride; alkyl
quaternary ammonium salts, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium salts, alkylisoquinolinium salts, dialkylmorpholinium salts,
POE alkylamines, alkylamine salts, polyamine fatty acid derivatives, amyl alcohol fatty acid derivatives, benzalkonium
chloride, and benzethonium chloride.
35 [0079] Non-limiting examples of suitable amphoteric surfactants include imidazoline surfactants, such as sodium 2-
undecyl-N,N,N-(hydroxyethylcarboxymethyl)-2-imidazoline and disodium 2-cocoyl-2-imidazolinium hydroxide-1-carbox-
yethyloxy; and betaines, such as 2-heptadecyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethylimidazolinium betaine, alkyl betaines,
amide betaines, and sulfobetaines.
[0080] Non-limiting examples of suitable lipophilic nonionic surfactants include sorbitan fatty acid esters, such as
40 sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monoisostearate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate,
sorbitan sesquioleate, sorbitan trioleate, diglycerol sorbitan penta-2-ethylhexylate, and diglycerol sorbitan tetra-2-ethyl-
hexylate; glycerol or polyglycerol fatty acids esters, such as glycerol mono-cotton seed oil fatty acid ester, glycerol
monoerucate, glycerol sesquioleate, glycerol monostearate, glycerol α,α’-oleate pyroglutamate, and glycerol monos-
tearate maleate; propylene glycol fatty acid esters, such as propylene glycol monostearate; hydrogenated castor oil
45 derivatives, and glycerol alkyl ethers.
[0081] Non-limiting examples of suitable hydrophilic nonionic surfactants include POE sorbitan fatty acid esters, such
as POE sorbitan monooleate, POE sorbitan monostearate, POE sorbitan monooleate, and POE sorbitan tetraoleate;
POE sorbitol fatty acid esters, such as POE sorbitol monolaurate, POE sorbitol monooleate, POE sorbitol pentaoleate,
and POE sorbitol monostearate; POE glycerol fatty acid esters, such as POE glycerol monostearate, POE glycerol
50 monoisostearate, and POE glycerol triisostearate; POE fatty acid esters, such as POE monooleate, POE distearate,
POE monodioleate, and ethylene glycol distearate; POE alkyl ethers, such as POE lauryl ether, POE oleyl ether, POE
stearyl ether, POE behenyl ether, POE-2-octyldodecyl ether, and POE-cholestanol ether; POE alkyl phenyl ethers, such
as POE octyl phenyl ether, POE nonyl phenyl ether, and POE dinonylphenyl ether; Pluronic type surfactants, such as
Pluronic; POE.POP alkyl ethers, such as POE.POP cetyl ether, POE.POP 2-decyltetradecyl ether, POE.POP monobutyl
55 ether, POE.POP hydrogenated lanolin, and POE-POP glycerol ether; tetraPOE.tetraPOP ethylenediamine condensates,
such as Tetronic; POE castor oil or hydrogenated castor oil derivatives, such as POE castor oil, POE hydrogenated
castor oil, POE hydrogenated castor oil monoisostearate, POE hydrogenated castor oil triisostearate, POE hydrogenated
castor oil monopyroglutamate monoisostearate, and POE hydrogenated castor oil maleate; POE beeswax lanolin de-

12
 EP 2 629 807 B1

rivatives, such as POE sorbitol beeswax; alkanolamides, such as coconut oil fatty acid diethanolamide, lauric acid
monoethanolamide, and fatty acid isopropanolamides; POE propylene glycol fatty acid esters, POE alkylamines, POE
fatty acid amides, sucrose fatty acid esters, POE nonylphenyl formaldehyde condensates, alkylethoxydimethylamine
oxides, and trioleyl phosphate.
5 [0082] The water, which represents at least 30% w/w of the entire composition, can also contain miscible or partial
miscible hydrophilic ingredients such as antioxidants, UV stabilizers, buffer agents, pH controlling mixtures, malodour
control and antibacterial agents.
[0083] The compositions and methods of the invention can provide more environmentally safe, water-based, low- or
free-VOC air fresheners that can contain variable amounts of fragrances, while said air freshener composition is released
10 into the surroundings either through a sustained release system based on wicks, reeds, natural or synthetic porous
materials or the like, or through controlled release systems such as sprays or aerosols. In addition, there are fewer
limitations regarding the fragrance formulation, while the releasing devices including a composition of the invention in
preferred embodiments, offer excellent product stability, longevity, and outstanding fragrance performance, such as
fragrance intensity, character, and diffusitivity into surroundings, due to enhanced fragrance solubilization into the water
15 phase. If malodor control agents are used, the method may also provide a cover-up, reduction or complete neutralization
in malodors.
[0084] Also, depending on the solubilizing system both the lower and the upper temperature limits of stability of the
final product can be extended
[0085] The following examples are intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention.
20
EXAMPLES

Examples 1-4. Exemplary Air Freshener Formulations

25 [0086]

Formula #1 #2 #3 #4
Aerosol OT-75* 1.0 4.0 5.3 2.5
30 Methyl Carbitol** 10.0 10.0 5.3 10.0
Butyl Carbitol*** 25.0 25.0 21.0 25.0
Orange Concentrate**** --- 10.0 52.6 ---
Peach Apple Crisp**** 5.0 --- --- 10.0
35

40

45

50

55

13
 EP 2 629 807 B1

(continued)

Formula #1 #2 #3 #4
Water 59.0 51.0 15.8 52.5
5
*Aerosol OT-75 is sodium di-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate from Cytec, Inc.
**Methyl Carbitol is Propanol, (2-methoxy-methylethoxy) from Dow Chemical
***Butyl Carbitol is Ethanol, 2-(2-butoxy-ethoxy) from Dow Chemical
****Peach Apple Crisp, Orange Concentrate are fragrance concentrates available from Agilex Flavors and Fragrances
10 ****Peach Apple Crisp fragrance formula: Aldehyde C-14
Amyl Butyrate Normal
Caryophyllene Beta
Cinnamic Aldehyde
Cinnamon Leaf Ceylon
15 Clove Bud Oil Madagascar
Damascone Delta
Dimethyl Benzyl Carbinyl Butyrate
Ethylene Brassylate
Ethyl-2-Methyl Butyrate
20 Ethyl Vanillin
Fructone
Hexalon (Allyl Ionone)
Leaf Acetate (cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate)
Leaf Alcohol (cis-3-hexenol)
25 Leaf Aldehyde (trans-2-Hexenal)
Lemon Oil
Lime Oil Roses Type 5825
Verdox
****Orange Concentrate fragrance formula: L-Borneol Crystals
30 Cassis Base 345B
Citronellol AJ
Cyclamal
Geraniol BJ
Grapefruit Terpenes
35 Cis-3-Hexenyl Butyrate
Ionone Beta
Lemon Oil Argentina
Linalool
Para Cymene
40 Petitgrain Oil
Triplal
Vertenex

Examples 5-8. Exemplary Air Freshener Formulations

45

[0087]

Formula #5 #6 #7 #8

50 Aerosol OT-75* 1.5 2.0 1.0 1.5

Methyl Carbitol** 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0
Butyl Carbitol*** 20.0 30.0 30.0 30.0
Peach Apple Crisp**** 5.0 -- 15.0 20.0
55
Orange Concentrate**** --- 15.0

14
 EP 2 629 807 B1

(continued)

Formula #5 #6 #7 #8
Water 63.5 43.0 44.0 38.5
5
*Aerosol OT-75 is sodium di-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate from Cytec, Inc.
**Methyl Carbitol is Propanol, (2-methoxy-methylethoxy) from Dow Chemical
***Butyl Carbitol is Ethanol, 2-(2-butoxy-ethoxy) from Dow Chemical
****Peach Apple Crisp and Orange Concentrate are fragrance concentrates available from Agilex Flavors and Fra-
10 grances (see Examples 1-4).

Examples 9-12. Exemplary Air Freshener Formulations

[0088]
15

Formula Example #9 Example #10 Example #11 Example #12

SLES 30%* --- --- 3.0 ---
Aerosol OT-75** 1.5 2.5 --- 1.0
20
Methyl Carbitol*** 4.0 4.0 1.0 1.0
Butyl Carbitol**** 25.0 22.0 20.0 24.0
Orange Concentrate***** 5.0 10.0 --- ---
25 Peach Apple Crisp***** --- --- 5.0 5.0
Water 64.5 61.5 71.0 69.0
* SLES 30% is sodium lauryl ether sulfate from Pilot Chemical Company
**Aerosol OT-75 is sodium di-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate from Cytec, Inc.
30 ***Methyl Carbitol is Propanol, (2-methoxy-methylethoxy) from Dow Chemical
**** Butyl Carbitol is Ethanol, 2-(2-butoxy-ethoxy) from Dow Chemical
*****Peach Apple Crisp and Orange Concentrate are fragrance concentrates available from Agilex Flavors and Fra-
grances (see Examples 1-4).

35
Examples 13-16. Exemplary Air Freshener Formulations

[0089]

40 Formula Example #13 Example #14 Example #15 Example #16

SLES 30%* --- --- --- 5.0
Aerosol OT-75** 2.5 2.0 3.0 ---
Methyl Carbitol*** 1.0 1.0 --- 1.0
45
Butyl Carbitol**** 28.0 28.5 25.0 28.0
Orange Concentrate***** --- 15.0 20.0 ---
Peach Apple Crisp***** 15.0 --- --- 15.0

50 Water 53.5 53.5 52.0 51.0

* SLES 30% is sodium lauryl ether sulfate from Pilot Chemical Company
**Aerosol OT-75 is sodium di-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate from Cytec, Inc.
***Methyl Carbitol is Propanol, (2-methoxy-methylethoxy) from Dow Chemical
**** Butyl Carbitol is Ethanol, 2-(2-butoxy-ethoxy) from Dow Chemical
55 *****Peach Apple Crisp and Orange Concentrate are fragrance concentrates available from Agilex Flavors and Fra-
grances (see Examples 1-4).

15
 EP 2 629 807 B1

Other Embodiments

[0090] From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that variations and modifications may be made to the invention
described herein to adopt it to various usages and conditions. Such embodiments are also within the scope of the
5 following claims.
[0091] The recitation of a listing of elements in any definition of a variable herein includes definitions of that variable
as any single element or combination (or sub combination) of listed elements. The recitation of an embodiment herein
includes that embodiment as any single embodiment or in combination with any other embodiments or portions thereof.
[0092] All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same
10 extent as if each independent patent and publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by
reference.

Claims
15
1. A liquid air freshener composition, the composition comprising:

(a) 0.1% to 40% by weight of an oil phase comprising a fragrance;

(b) At least 51.0 % by weight of water;
20 (c) A fragrance vehicle comprising at least one mono-, di-, or polyglycol ether;
And
(d) An amphiphilic solubilizing agent, wherein the weight ratio of amphiphilic solubilizing agent to oil phase
comprising a fragrance is less than 1:1.

25 2. A liquid air freshener composition of claim 1, the composition comprising 0.5% to 60% by weight of an oil phase
comprising a fragrance.

3. A liquid air freshener composition of claim 1, the composition comprising;

30 (a) 0.1 to 40% by weight of an oil phase comprising a fragrance;

(b) An amphiphilic oil solubilizing agent comprising one or more ionic, non-ionic, cationic or amphoteric sur-
factants, or a mixture thereof;
(c) At least 51.0 % by weight of water; and
(d) A low VOC fragrance vehicle comprising at least one linear, branched, cyclic, or aromatic mono-, di-, or
35 poly-glycol-ether.

4. The air freshener composition of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the composition is a clear isotropic composition.

5. The air freshener composition of anyone of claims 1-4, wherein the composition is a microemulsion or nanoemulsion.
40
6. The air freshener composition of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the composition is a solution, preferably
wherein the solution is a micellar solution.

7. The air freshener composition of any one of the claims 1-6, wherein the fragrance comprises one or more fragrance
45 components selected from the group consisting of ketones, aldehydes, esters, alcohols, ethers, terpenes, natural
essential oils, and synthetic musk.

8. The air freshener composition of anyone of claims 1-7, wherein the amphiphilic solubilizing agent comprises one
or more surfactants of hydrotropic molecules, or a combination thereof, preferably
50 wherein the amphiphilic solubilizing agent comprises one or more ionic, non-ionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric
surfactants.

9. The air freshener composition of anyone of claims 1-8, wherein the fragrance vehicle comprises 2-(2-butoxy-
ethoxy)ethanol or (2-methoxy-methylethoxy)propanol.
55
10. The air freshener composition of claim 1, wherein the fragrance vehicle is a low VOC fragrance vehicle.

11. The air freshener composition of anyone of claims 1-10, wherein the composition comprises between 10% to 30%

16
 EP 2 629 807 B1

fragrance vehicle.

12. The air freshener composition of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the liquid composition comprises a solubilizing
agent at a weight ratio between 0.1:1 to 1:1 relative to the weight of the oil phase.
5
13. The composition according to anyone of claims 1-12, wherein the fragrance vehicle comprises at least one mono-,
di-, or polyglycol ether, wherein the at least one fragrance vehicle is selected from: ethylene glycol monomethyl
ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monohexyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-2-methylehxyl ether,
ethylene glycol isoamyl ether, ethylene glycol benzyl ether, ethylene glycol isopropyl ether, ethylene glycol: dimethyl
10 ether, ethylene, glycol diethyl ether, ethylene glycol dibutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene
glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl
ethyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl
ether, propylene glycol isopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol ethyl ether, dipropylene
glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, ethylene
15 glycol monobutyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol diadipate, ethylene glycol
disuccinate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, propylene glycol
monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monopropyl ether acetate,
propylene glycol monophenyl ether acetate, chimyl alcohol, selachyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, POP butyl ether, POP-
POE butyl ether, tripolyoxypropylene glycerol ether, POP glycerol ether, POP glycerol ether phosphate, or POP.POE
20 pentaerythritol ether

14. The air freshener composition of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the fragrance vehicle does not comprise a dihydric
alcohol alkyl ether.

25 15. A consumer article comprising a composition of anyone of the claims 1-14.

Patentansprüche

30 1. Flüssige Lufterfrischerzusammensetzung, wobei die Zusammensetzung umfasst:

(a) 0,1 Gew.-% bis 40 Gew.-% einer einen Duftstoff umfassenden Ölphase;
(b) wenigstens 51,0 Gew.-% Wasser;
(c) ein Duftstoffvehikel, das wenigstens eines von Mono-, Di- oder Polyglykolether umfasst;
35 und
(d) einen amphiphilen Lösungsvermittler, wobei das Gewichtsverhältnis von amphiphilem Lösungsvermittler zu
einen Duftstoff umfassender Ölphase geringer ist als 1:1.

2. Flüssige Lufterfrischerzusammensetzung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Zusammensetzung 0,5 Gew.-% bis 60 Gew.-
40 % einer einen Duftstoff umfassenden Ölphase umfasst.

3. Flüssige Lufterfrischerzusammensetzung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Zusammensetzung umfasst:

(a) 0,1 bis 40 Gew.-% einer einen Duftstoff umfassenden Ölphase;

45 (b) einen amphiphilen Öllösungsvermittler, der eines oder mehrere von ionischen, nicht-ionischen, kationischen
oder amphoterischen Tensiden oder ein Gemisch davon umfasst;
(c) wenigstens 51,0 Gew.-% Wasser; und
(d) ein Duftstoffvehikel mit geringer VOC-Konzentration, umfassend wenigstens einen linearen, verzweigen,
zyklischen oder aromatischen Mono-, Di- oder Polyglykolether.
50
4. Lufterfrischerzusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-3, wobei die Zusammensetzung eine isotrope Zu-
sammensetzung ist.

5. Lufterfrischerzusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-4, wobei die Zusammensetzung eine Mikroemulsion
55 oder Nanoemulsion ist.

6. Lufterfrischerzusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-5, wobei die Zusammensetzung eine Lösung ist,
wobei die Lösung bevorzugt eine mizellare Lösung ist.

17
 EP 2 629 807 B1

7. Lufterfrischerzusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-6, wobei der Duftstoff eine oder mehrere Duftstoff-
verbindungen umfasst, ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Ketonen, Aldehyden, Estern, Alkoholen, Ethern,
Terpenen, natürlichen ätherischen Ölen und synthetischem Moschus.

5 8. Lufterfrischerzusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-7, wobei der amphiphilen Lösungsvermittler eines
oder mehrere Tenside hydrotropischer Moleküle oder eine Kombination davon umfasst, wobei
der amphiphilen Lösungsvermittler bevorzugt ein oder mehrere ionische, nicht-ionische, anionische, kationische
oder amphoterische Tenside umfasst.

10 9. Lufterfrischerzusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-8, wobei das Duftstoffvehikel 2-(2-Butoxyetho-
xy)-ethanol oder (2-Methoxymethylethoxy)-propanol umfasst.

10. Lufterfrischerzusammensetzung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Duftstoffvehikel ein Duftstoffvehikel mit niedriger VOC-
Konzentration ist.
15
11. Lufterfrischerzusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-10, wobei die Zusammensetzung zwischen 10 %
und 30 % Duftstoffvehikel umfasst.

12. Lufterfrischerzusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-11, wobei die flüssige Zusammensetzung einen Lö-
20 sungsvermittler mit einem Gewichtsverhältnis zwischen 0,1:1 und 1:1 in Bezug auf das Gewicht der Ölphase umfasst.

13. Zusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-12, wobei das Duftstoffvehikel wenigstens einen Mono-, Di- oder
Polyglykolether umfasst, wobei das wenigstens eine Duftstoffvehikel ausgewählt ist aus: Ethylenglykolmonomethy-
lether, Ethylenglykolmonoethylether, Ethylenglykolmonohexylether, Ethylenglykolmono-2-methylehxylether, Ethy-
25 lenglykolisoamylether, Ethylenglykolbenzylether, Ethylenglykolisopropylether, Ehylenglykol: Dimethylether, Ethy-
len, Glykoldiethylether, Ethylenglykoldibutylether, Diethylenglykolmonomethylether, Diethylenglykolmonoethyle-
ther, Diethylenglykoldimethylether, Diethylenglykoldiethylether, Diethylenglykolmethylethylether, Triethylenglykol-
monomethylether, Triethylenglykolmonoethylether, Propylenglykolmonoethylether, Propylenglykolisopropylether,
Dipropylenglykolmethylether, Dipropylenglykolethylether, Dipropylenglykolbutylether, Ethylenglykolmonomethyle-
30 theracetat, Ethylenglykolmonoethyletheracetat, Ethylenglykolmonobutyletheracetat, Ethylenglykolmonophenyle-
theracetat, Ethylenglykoldiadipat, Ethylenglykoldisuccinat, Diethylenglykolmonoethyletheracetat, Diethylenglykol-
monobutyletheracetat, Propylenglykolmonomethyletheracetat, Propylenglykolmonoethyletheracetat, Propylengly-
kolmonopropyletheracetat, Propylenglykolmonophenyletheracetat, Chimylalkohol, Selachylalkohol, Butylalkohol,
POP-Butylether, POP-POE-Butylether, Tripolyoxypropylenglyzerinether, POP-Glyzerinether, POP-Glyzerinether-
35 phosphat oder POP.POE-Pentaerythritolether.

14. Lufterfrischerzusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-12, wobei das Duftstoffvehikel keinen dihydrischen
Alkoholalkylether umfasst.

40 15. Verbraucherartikel, umfassend die Zusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-14.

Revendications

45 1. Composition de rafraîchisseur d’air liquide, la composition comprenant :

(a) 0,1 % à 40% en poids d’une phase huileuse comprenant un parfum ;

(b) au moins 51,0% en poids d’eau ;
(c) un véhicule de parfum comprenant au moins un éther de mono -, di- ou polyglycol; et
50 (d) un agent solubilisant amphiphile, où le rapport pondéral de l’agent solubilisant amphiphile à la phase huileuse
comprenant un parfum est inférieur à 1:1.

2. Composition de rafraîchisseur d’air liquide selon la revendication 1, la composition comprenant 0,5% à 60% en
poids d’une phase huileuse comprenant un parfum.
55
3. Composition de rafraîchisseur d’air liquide selon la revendication 1, la composition comprenant :

(a) 0,1 à 40% en poids d’une phase huileuse comprenant un parfum ;

18
 EP 2 629 807 B1

(b) un agent solubilisant dans l’huile amphiphile comprenant un ou plusieurs tensioactifs ioniques, non ioniques,
cationiques ou amphotères, ou un mélange de ceux-ci ;
(c) au moins 51,0% en poids d’eau ; et
(d) un véhicule de parfum à faible teneur en COV comprenant au moins un éther de mono-, di- ou polyglycol
5 linéaire, ramifié, cyclique ou aromatique.

4. Composition de rafraîchisseur d’air selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-3, où la composition est une com-
position isotropelimpide.

10 5. Composition de rafraîchisseur d’air selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-4, où la composition est une mi-
croémulsion ou nanoémulsion.

6. Composition de rafraîchisseur d’air selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-5, où la composition est une solution,
de préférence, où la solution est une solution micellaire.
15
7. Composition de rafraîchisseur d’air selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-6, où le parfum comprend un ou
plusieurs composants de parfum choisis dans le groupe comprenant les cétones, les aldéhydes, les esters, les
alcools, les éthers, les terpènes, leshuiles essentielles naturelles et le musc synthétique.

20 8. Composition de rafraîchisseur d’air selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-7, où l’agent solubilisant amphiphile
comprend un ou plusieurs tensioactifs de molécules hydrotropes, ou une combinaison de ceux-ci, de préférence
où l’agent solubilisant amphiphile comprend un ou plusieurs tensioactifs ioniques, non-ioniques, anioniques, catio-
niques ou amphotères.

25 9. Composition de rafraîchisseur d’air selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-8, où le véhicule de parfum com-
prend le 2-(2-butoxy-éthoxy) éthanol ou le (2-méthoxy-méthyléthoxy)propanol.

10. Composition de rafraîchisseur d’air selon la revendication 1, où le véhicule de parfum est un véhicule à faible teneur
en COV de parfum.
30
11. Composition de rafraîchisseur d’air selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-10, où la composition comprend
entre 10% et 30% de véhicule de parfum.

12. Composition de rafraîchisseur d’air selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-11, où la composition liquide
35 comprend un agent de solubilisation selon un rapport pondéral compris entre 0,1:1 et 1:1 par rapport au poids de
la phase huileuse.

13. Composition selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-12, où le véhicule de parfum comprend au moins un éther
de mono-, di- ou polyglycol, où ledit au moins un véhicule de parfum est choisi parmi : l’éther monométhylique
40 d’éthylène glycol, l’éther monoéthylique d’éthylène glycol, l’éther monohexylique d’éthylène glycol, l’éther mono-2-
méthylhexylique d’éthylène glycol, l’éther isoamylique d’éthylène glycol, l’éther benzylique d’éthylène glycol, l’éther
isopropylique d’éthylène glycol, l’éther diméthylique d’éthylène glycol, l’éther diéthylique d’éthylène glycol, l’éther
dibutylique d’éthylène glycol, l’éther monométhylique de diéthylène glycol, l’éther monoéthylique de diéthylène
glycol, l’éther diméthylique de diéthylène glycol, l’éther diéthylique de diéthylène glycol, l’éther méthyléthylique de
45 diéthylène glycol, l’éther monométhylique de triéthylène glycol, l’éther monoéthylique de triéthylène glycol, l’éther
monoéthylique de propylène glycol, l’éther isopropylique de propylène glycol, l’éther méthylique de dipropylène
glycol, l’éther éthylique de dipropylène glycol, l’éther butylique de dipropylène glycol, l’acétate d’éther monométhy-
lique d’éthylène glycol, l’acétate d’éther monoéthylique d’éthylène glycol, l’acétate d’éther monobutylique d’éthylène
glycol, l’acétate d’éther monophénylique d’éthylène glycol, le diadipate d’éthylène glycol, le disuccinate d’éthylène
50 glycol, l’acétate d’éther monoéthylique de diéthylène glycol, l’acétate d’éther monobutylique de diéthylène glycol,
l’acétate d’éther monométhylique de propylène glycol, l’acétate d’éther monoéthylique de propylène glycol, l’acétate
d’éther monopropylique de propylène glycol, l’acétate d’éther monophénylique de propylène glycol, l’alcool chimy-
lique, l’alcool sélachylique, l’alcool butylique, l’éther butylique POP, l’éther butylique POP-POE, l’éther de glycérol
tripolyoxypropylène, l’éther de glycérol POP, le phosphate d’éther de glycérol POP ou l’éther de pentaérythritol
55 POP-POE.

14. Composition de rafraîchisseur d’air selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-12, où le véhicule de parfum ne
comprend pas d’alkyléther d’alcool dihydrique.

19
 EP 2 629 807 B1

15. Article de consommation comprenant une composition selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1-14.

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

20
 EP 2 629 807 B1

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European
patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be
excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description

• US 61405957 A [0001] • US 20110095097 A [0005]

• US 6180595 B [0005] • US 585343 A [0005]
• US 20080023569 A [0005] • US 104663081 B [0069]

21