Pet shampoo

The present invention is directed to a composition of matter which provides a slow release fragrance for animal skin products such as shampoos, conditioners, insect (e.g., flea, tick) repellants or insecticides. The present invention is especially directed to the use of a combination of one or more perfumes and a polymer that, when added to hair coat treatment products for animals, extend the aromatic life of the fragrance. Preferably, the slow release fragrance composition comprises a fragrance base, such as any of the commercially available perfumes or perfume concentrates, and a water-soluble polymer. Preferably, the polymer is a vinyl copolymer. The most preferred polymer is the copolymer obtained by reaction of the monomers N-vinylpyrrolidone and dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
It has long been evident that animal owners applying shampoos, 
conditioners, repellents or insecticides to their animal's coat desire a 
long-lasting fragrance to mask normal animal odors. Most animal skin 
application products contain standard cosmetic fragrances that rapidly 
vaporize and therefore mask the normal animal odors for only a few hours. 
A non-toxic, slow release system that may conveniently be added to most 
animal skin application products would be a highly desirable goal. This 
invention accomplishes that goal by pre-mixing a commercial fragrance base 
with a vinyl copolymer. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed to a composition of matter which provides 
a slow release fragrance for animal skin products such as shampoos, 
conditioners, insect (e.g., flea, tick) repellants or insecticides. 
The present invention is especially directed to the use of a combination of 
one or more perfumes and a vinyl copolymer that, when added to hair coat 
treatment products for animals, extend the aromatic life of the fragrance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Generally, animal shampoos consist of an aqueous solution, emulsion, or 
dispersion of one or more cleansing agents, together with additives 
employed for the purposes of modifying and stabilizing the various 
functional and aesthetic properties of the finished product. Additives 
include solubilizers, foam modifiers, dispersants, conditioning agents, 
medicaments, pH controls, preservative systems, and the like. 
The present invention incorporates within such a shampoo formulation, a 
slow release fragrance composition. Preferably, the slow release fragrance 
composition comprises a fragrance base, such as any of the commercially 
available perfumes or perfume concentrates, and a water-soluble polymer. 
Preferably, the polymer is a vinyl copolymer. The most preferred polymer 
is the copolymer obtained by reaction of the monomers N-vinylpyrrolidone 
and dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate. 
Depending upon the fragrance requirements, the fragrance base may be 
admixed with the copolymer in amounts varying from about 1 weight percent 
to about 50 weight percent. Preferably, the fragrance is admixed with the 
polymer in a weight ratio of about 1 to 4. A preferred fragrance base is 
available from Roure Bertrand Dupont, Inc. of 1775 Windsor Road, Teaneck, 
N.J. 07666, under the designation Q-1782. 
The slow release fragrance composition of the present invention is not 
limited to use in shampoo products. Other pet products may likewise be 
treated as herein described. Such other products which may benefit from 
incorporation of an extended life fragrance include conditioners, insect 
repellants and/or insecticide products. 
EXAMPLE 
A mixture of Roure Bertrand Dupont, Inc. perfume concentrate Q-1782 is 
mixed with vinyl pyrrolidone/dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate copolymer in 
a weight ratio of 1:4. This fragrance combination is then formulated with 
the basic ingredients of shampoo, conditioner, repellent or insecticide 
products. The amount of fragrance combination added to the basic pet 
product ingredients may be varied depending upon the strength of the 
fragrance desired. Generally, the fragrance combination is present in at 
least about 0.1 wt. percent of the basic ingredients, preferably in at 
least about 0.5 weight percent. 
The present invention has been described in detail, including the preferred 
embodiment thereof. However, it will be appreciated that those skilled in 
the art, upon consideration of the present invention disclosure, may make 
modifications and/or improvements on this invention and still be within 
the scope and spirit of this invention as set forth in the following 
claims.