Patent Publication Number: US-2007122373-A1

Title: Air freshener

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/429,342, filed May 5, 2003. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to air fresheners and methods for freshening air.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Products for reducing or masking malodors in the air are currently available, and are described in the patent literature. Products for reducing or masking malodors on fabrics and other surfaces are also currently available and described in the patent literature.  
      S. C. Johnson sells products such as GLADE® sprays and the OUST™ fabric refresher.  
      Reckitt-Benckiser sells products such as LYSOL® disinfectant sprays, AIR WICK® by WIZARD® products.  
      Some of these products use hydrocarbons as propellants. Products that use hydrocarbons as propellants can be subject to the disadvantage that any scent or perfume used therein tends to evaporate very quickly due to the small size of the droplets that are dispensed with hydrocarbon propellants and the rapid phase change of hydrocarbon propellants from liquid to gas. In the case of air fresheners, this can result in a less desirable consumer experience of an overwhelming burst of perfume initially and a short longevity period during which these perfumes can be detected in the air. In order to attempt to increase the period during which these perfumes can be detected, the tendency is to put additional perfume into products that utilize hydrocarbons as propellants. This may result in a perfume level that initially has a tendency to be too strong, or overpowering, yet may still not be long lasting.  
      Some of these products may cause fabrics to turn yellow or brown under natural light, particularly products that contain certain types of aldehydes.  
      The Procter &amp; Gamble Company sells products under the FEBREZE® fabric refresher brand name. These products typically contain cyclodextrin and do not use propellants. Procter &amp; Gamble patents include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,942,217, 5,955,093, 6,033,679.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to air fresheners, or air freshening products, and methods for freshening air. The air freshening product may comprise a container for storing an air freshening composition that may contain a perfume composition or may contain a perfume composition in conjunction with a malodor counteractant, and the container may comprise a propellant such as a compressed gas, and a dispenser. There are numerous embodiments of the products described herein, all of which are intended to be non-limiting examples.  
      In some non-limiting embodiments, the air freshening product delivers a consistent perfume release profile. In these, or other embodiments, the air freshening product may also deliver a genuine malodor removal benefit without impacting the character of the parent fragrance (that is, the perfume composition without any malodor counteractants). A “consistent perfume release profile” is defined as a perceivable perfume intensity which is delivered initially and a comparable intensity is maintained for at least 10 minutes or longer (e.g., 30 minutes, or more). A “genuine malodor removal benefit” is defined as an analytically measurable malodor reduction. Thus, if the air freshening product delivers a genuine malodor removal benefit, the air freshening product will not function merely by using perfume to cover up or mask odors. The air freshening product may be fabric-safe so that it does not stain fabrics with which it comes into contact. Furthermore, in some versions of this embodiment, the product may also be suitable for use as a fabric refresher.  
      The air freshening product can be sprayed into the air. Any suitable type of article can be used to spray the air freshening product into the air. The air freshening product can be sprayed using any suitable type of sprayer. One suitable type of sprayer is an aerosol sprayer. If an aerosol sprayer is used, it can use any suitable type of propellant. The propellant can include hydrocarbon propellants, or non-hydrocarbon propellants. In some embodiments, it is desirable to use propellants that are primarily non-hydrocarbon propellants (that is, propellants that are comprised of more non-hydrocarbon propellants by volume than hydrocarbon propellants, that is, greater than (or equal to) about 50% of the volume of the propellant). In some embodiments, the propellant may be substantially free of hydrocarbons. In embodiments in which the air freshener uses a non-hydrocarbon propellant, such a propellant may include, but is not limited to a compressed gas. Suitable compressed gases include, but are not limited to compressed air, nitrogen, inert gases, carbon dioxide, etc.  
      In one version of such an embodiment, at least some of the spray droplets are sufficiently small in size to be suspended in the air for at least about 10 minutes, and in some cases, for at least about 15 minutes, or at least about 30 minutes. The spray droplets can be of any suitable size. In some embodiments, at least some of the spray droplets have a diameter in a range of from about 0.01 μm to about 500 μm, or from about 5 μm to about 400 μm, or from about 10 μm to about 200 μm. The mean particle size of the spray droplets may be in the range of from about 10 μm to about 100 μm, or from about 20 μm-about 60 μm.  
      In some embodiments, the air freshener product comprises a perfume that is formulated so that it has an initial impact that is not overpowering and is perceived in the air for a longer period of time. Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that the perfume longevity may be attributed to using a compressed gas, such as nitrogen as a propellant combined with a larger droplet size (relative to some aerosol spayers). Again, without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, such larger droplets may act as reservoirs for the perfume that provide a source of olfactive molecules, and which continue to emit molecules providing a continual source of fragrance in the room. It is believed that smaller molecules will provide droplets with a greater total surface area that causes the perfume to more quickly release from the same. In some embodiments, the perfume remains in the air for at least about 10 minutes, or more, up to about 30 minutes, or more (or any period therebetween), while maintaining substantially the same character.  
      The air freshening product can be packaged in any suitable container. Suitable containers include aerosol cans. In one embodiment, the aerosol can may have a dispenser that sprays the air freshening composition at an angle that is between an angle that is parallel to the base of the container and an angle that is perpendicular thereto. In other embodiments, the desired size of spray droplets can be delivered by other types of devices that are capable of being set to provide a narrow range of droplet size. Such other devices include, but are not limited to: foggers, ultrasonic nebulizers, electrostatic sprayers, and spinning disk sprayers.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a graph that compares the perfume release profile of an example of an air freshener having a high initial perfume intensity, and a relatively short period of longevity in the air to an example of an air freshener having a more consistent perfume release profile, and longer period of longevity in the air.  
       FIG. 2  is a graph that shows the perfume release profile with respect to the odor detection threshold of an example of an air freshener having a high initial perfume intensity, and a relatively short period of longevity in the air.  
       FIG. 3  is a graph of one non-limiting example of an air freshener having a more consistent perfume release profile, and longer period of longevity in the air.  
       FIG. 4  is a bar graph showing the relatively higher amount of small droplets in a spray that uses dimethyl ether (DME) hydrocarbon as a propellant in comparison to a spray that uses nitrogen as a propellant.  
       FIG. 5  is a print out from a gas chromatograph that shows the presence of butylamine (a fish odor) in the air.  
       FIG. 6  is a print out from a gas chromatograph that shows the presence of Lilial (an aldehyde) in the air.  
       FIG. 7  is a print out from a gas chromatograph that shows what happens when the two substances are combined.  
       FIG. 8  is a graph that shows the concentration of two types of cigarette malodors in the air over time before and after a malodor counteractant is introduced into the air space.  
       FIG. 9  is a graph that shows the concentration of body and bathroom malodors in the air over time before and after a malodor counteractant is introduced into the air space. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to air fresheners or air freshening products and methods for freshening air. The air freshening product may comprise a container for storing an air freshening composition, and the container may comprise a propellant such as a compressed gas, and a dispenser; and an air freshening composition. There are numerous embodiments of the air freshening products and methods described herein, all of which are intended to be non-limiting examples.  
      The Air Freshening Composition  
      The term “air freshening composition”, as used herein, refers to any suitable composition that reduces odors in air, and/or reduces the impression of odors in the air by masking, layering or including malodor counteractant perfume raw materials into the composition. Numerous types of air freshening compositions are possible.  
      In certain embodiments, the air freshening composition comprises a perfume composition. In some embodiments, the air freshening product delivers a consistent perfume release profile without an overwhelming initial burst of perfume. A “consistent perfume release profile” is defined as a perceivable perfume intensity which is delivered initially and a comparable level of intensity is maintained for at least 10 minutes or longer, and in some cases, for at least about 15 minutes, at least about 20 minutes, at least about 25 minutes, or at least about 30 minutes. The intensities at these times may be respectively referred to as the “ten minute intensity”, the “fifteen minute intensity”, etc.  
       FIG. 1  is a graph that compares the perfume release profile of an example of an air freshener having a high initial perfume intensity, and a relatively short period of longevity in the air to an example of an ideal air freshener having a more consistent perfume release profile, and longer period of longevity in the air.  
       FIG. 2  is a graph of the perfume release profile of an example of an air freshener having an initial high perfume intensity, and a relatively short period of longevity in the air. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the initial intensity of the perfume in the air is quite high, and can contribute to consumers experiencing an overwhelming initial burst of perfume. Following the initial burst of perfume,  FIG. 2  shows that the intensity of the perfume in the air quickly drops off, and falls below the detection threshold of an untrained person&#39;s sense of smell. This air freshener product, thus, has a relatively short longevity period. In addition, the character of such a perfume can can change over time as well. In most situations, it is desirable for the character of the perfume to remain substantially the same over time. This type of perfume release profile is typically provided when using hydrocarbon propellants, such as dimethyl ether (DME).  
       FIG. 3  is a graph of one non-limiting example of an air freshener having a more consistent perfume release profile, and longer period of longevity in the air in which the perfume intensity remains over the detection threshold for a longer period of time. This type of perfume release profile can be provided by using a compressed gas, such as nitrogen, as a propellant. In certain embodiments, it is desirable for the air freshening composition to comprise a perfume having an initial intensity measured on a sensory rating scale of 0-5 (described in the Test Methods section below) that is less than or equal to (or merely less than) about 4, or about 3.5 within about two minutes after the composition is first dispersed. In these, or other embodiments, it may also be desirable for the perfume intensity of the air freshening composition to remain at a level greater than or equal to (or merely greater than) about 1, about 1.5, about 2, about 2.5, or about 3 after one or more of the following periods after the composition is first disbursed: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 minutes. In these or other embodiments, it may be desirable for the change in the intensity of the perfume composition over any of these periods of time to be less than or equal to (or merely less than): about 3.5, about 3, about 2.5, about 2, about 1.5, about 1, about 0.5, or about 0.  
      There are a number of ways to provide an air freshener with a consistent perfume release profile. In some cases, this can be a product of the perfume composition, and/or the manner in which the air freshening composition is distributed or dispersed into the air.  
      The perfume composition can be formulated so that it has characteristics that provide it with a more consistent release profile. Perfumes typically comprise one or more perfume ingredients. Often, these ingredients have different volatilities, boiling points, and odor detection thresholds. When a perfume composition is discharged into the air, the ingredients with the higher volatilities (referred to as “top notes”) will be the ingredients that will volatilize and be detected by a person&#39;s sense of smell more quickly than the ingredients with lower volatilities (refered to as “middle notes”) and the ingredients with the lowest volatility (refered to as “bottom notes”). This will cause the character of the perfume to change over time since after the perfume is first emitted, the overall perfume character will contain fewer and fewer top notes and more bottom notes.  
      In general, a perfume ingredient&#39;s character and volatility may be described in terms of its boiling point (or “B.P.”) and its octanol/water partition coefficient (or “P”). The boiling point referred to herein is measured under normal standard pressure of 760 mm Hg. The boiling points of many perfume ingredients, at standard 760 mm Hg are given in, e.g., “Perfume and Flavor Chemicals (Aroma Chemicals),” written and published by Steffen Arctander, 1969.  
      The octanol/water partition coefficient of a perfume ingredient is the ratio between its equilibrium concentrations in octanol and in water. The partition coefficients of the perfume ingredients used in the air freshening composition may be more conveniently given in the form of their logarithm to the base 10, log P. The log P values of many perfume ingredients have been reported; see for example, the Pomona92 database, available from Daylight Chemical Information Systems, Inc. (Daylight CIS), Irvine, Calif. However, the log P values are most conveniently calculated by the “C LOG P” program, also available from Daylight CIS. This program also lists experimental log P values when they are available in the Pomona92 database. The “calculated log P” (C log P) is determined by the fragment approach of Hansch and Leo (cf., A. Leo, in Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 4, C. Hansch, P. G. Sammens, J. B. Taylor and C. A. Ramsden, Eds., p. 295, Pergamon Press, 1990). The fragment approach is based on the chemical structure of each perfume ingredient, and takes into account the numbers and types of atoms, the atom connectivity, and chemical bonding. The C log P values, which are the most reliable and widely used estimates for this physicochemical property, are preferably used instead of the experimental log P values in the selection of perfume ingredients for the air freshening composition.  
      The perfume composition may comprise perfume ingredients selected from one or more groups of ingredients. A first group of ingredients comprises perfume ingredients that have a boiling point of about 250° C. or less and C log P of about 3 or less. More preferably, the first perfume ingredients have a boiling point of 240° C. or less, most preferably 235° C. or less. More preferably the first perfume ingredients have a C log P value of less than 3.0, more preferably 2.5 or less. One or more ingredients from the first group of perfume ingredients can be present in any suitable amount in the perfume composition. In certain embodiments, the first perfume ingredient is present at a level of at least 1.0% by weight of the perfume composition, more preferably at least 3.5% and most preferably at least 7.0% by weight of the perfume composition.  
      A second group of perfume ingredients comprise perfume ingredients that have a boiling point of 250° C. or less and C log P of 3.0 or more. More preferably the second perfume ingredients have a boiling point of 240° C. or less, most preferably 235° C. or less. More preferably, the second perfume ingredients have a C log P value of greater than 3.0, even more preferably greater than 3.2. One or more ingredients from the second group of perfume ingredients can be present in any suitable amount in the perfume composition. In certain embodiments, the second perfume ingredient is present at a level of at least 10% by weight of the perfume composition, more preferably at least 15% and most preferably greater than 20% by weight of the perfume composition.  
      A third group of perfume ingredients comprises perfume ingredients that have a boiling point of 250° C. or more and C log P of 3.0 or less. More preferably the third perfume ingredients have boiling point of 255° C. or more, most preferably 260° C. or more. More preferably, this additional perfume ingredient has a C log P value of less than 3.0, more preferably 2.5 or less. One or more ingredients from the third group of perfume ingredients can be present in any suitable amount in the perfume composition. In certain embodiments, the third perfume ingredient is present at a level of at least 5.0% by weight of the perfume composition.  
      A fourth group of perfume ingredients comprises perfume ingredients that have a boiling point of 250° C. or more and C log P of 3.0 or more. More preferably, this additional perfume ingredient has boiling point of 255° C. or more, most preferably 260° C. or more. More preferably, the additional perfume ingredient has a C log P value of greater than 3.0, even more preferably greater than 3.2. One or more ingredients from the fourth group of perfume ingredients can be present in any suitable amount in the perfume composition. In certain embodiments, the fourth perfume ingredient is present at a level of at least 1% by weight of the perfume composition.  
      In one embodiment of the air freshening composition, the perfume composition comprises at least about 1% by weight of one or more volatile ingredients (from the first group of perfume ingredients) having a boiling point of less than or equal to about 250° C. and a C log P value less than or equal to about 2.5. In another embodiment of the air freshening composition, the perfume composition comprises at least about 10% of one or more ingredients (from the second group of perfume ingredients) having a boiling point less than or equal to about 250° C. and C log P value greater than or equal to about 3. In another embodiment of the air freshening composition, the perfume composition comprises at least about 5% of one or more ingredients (from the third group of perfume ingredients) having a boiling point of greater than or equal to about 250° C. and a C log P value less than or equal to about 3. In another embodiment, the perfume composition comprises at least about 1% of one or more ingredients (from the fourth group of perfume ingredients) having a boiling point of greater than or equal to about 250° C. and a C log P value greater than or equal to about 3. The perfume composition may also comprise any suitable combination of the embodiments described above.  
      For example, in another embodiment, the perfume composition comprises at least one perfume from the first group of perfume ingredients and at least one perfume from the second group of perfume ingredients. More preferably, the perfume composition comprises a plurality of ingredients chosen from the first group of perfume ingredients and a plurality of ingredients chosen from the second group of perfume ingredients. In order to extend the fragrance perception in the air, it is recommended to include a plurality of ingredients from the additional groups three and four to help round off the sensorial experience.  
      The perfume compositions useful in the air freshening composition can utilize relatively high levels of particularly chosen perfume ingredients. Such high levels of perfume had not previously been used because of a phenomenon known as the odor detection threshold. Perfume raw material generates an olfactory response in the individual smelling the perfume. The minimum concentration of perfume ingredient which is consistently perceived to generate an olfactory response in an individual, is known as the Odor Detection Threshold (ODT). As the concentration of perfume is increased, so is the odor intensity of the perfume, and the olfactory response of the individual. This is so until the concentration of the perfume reaches a maximum, at which point the odor intensity reaches a plateau beyond which there is no additional olfactory response by the individual. This range of perfume concentration through which the individual consistently perceives an odor is known as the Odor Detection Range (ODR).  
      It had been understood, until now, that the concentration of perfume ingredients in the perfume composition should be formulated within the ODR of the perfume ingredient, since compositions comprising higher levels provide no additional olfactory response and are thus costly and inefficient.  
      The Applicants have however found that in some circumstances it may be desirable to exceed the ODR of at least some of the perfume ingredient(s). The perfume is not only effusive and very noticeable when the product is used in an aqueous aerosol or pump spray, but it has also been found that the perfume continues diffusing from the multiple droplets disseminated on all surfaces within the room. The reservoir of perfume serves to replace diffused perfume, thus maintaining perfume concentration in the room at or beyond the odor detection threshold of the perfume throughout use, and preferably, after it has been initially sprayed or otherwise dispersed. Moreover, it has also been found that the perfume tends to linger for longer in the room in which the composition is used. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, at least one perfume ingredient selected from the first and/or second perfume ingredients is preferably present at a level of 50% in excess of the ODR, more preferably 150% in excess of the ODR. For very lingering perfume, at least one perfume ingredient can be added at a level of more than 300% of the ODR.  
      In certain embodiments, the perfume composition described herein can maintain a more consistent character over time. Larger droplet sizes (which have a smaller total surface area compared to a plurality of small droplets) can be used to reduce the speed with which the highly volatile top notes will volatilize. The droplets can not only release the perfume composition when they are suspended in the air, they can also fall until they contact a surface (e.g., tables or countertops, furniture, and floors, carpets, etc.). The droplets that fall onto these surfaces can serve as “reservoirs” for the perfume composition, and also release the perfume composition after landing on such surfaces. In this manner, there can be a continual renewal of the scent originally percieved by the consumer, which is replenished by molecules released from the droplets over a period of time. The mixing action of the heavier, higher Odor Detection Threshhold (“ODT ”) molecules (e.g., bottom notes such as musks, woody notes, etc.) with the newly released fresher more volatile lower ODT materials, will provide the consumer with a scent that is reminiscent of the one they initially experienced when the product was first applied.  
      Odor detection thresholds are determined using a commercial gas chromatograph (“GC”) equipped with flame ionization and a sniff-port. The gas chromatograph is calibrated to determine the exact volume of material injected by the syringe, the precise split ratio, and the hydrocarbon response using a hydrocarbon standard of known concentration and chain-length distribution. The air flow rate is accurately measured and, assuming the duration of a human inhalation to last 12 seconds, the sampled volume is calculated. Since the precise concentration at the detector at any point in time is known, the mass per volume inhaled is known and concentration of the material can be calculated. To determine whether a material has a threshold below 50 parts per billion (ppb), solutions are delivered to the sniff port at the back-calculated concentration. A panelist sniffs the GC effluent and identifies the retention time when odor is noticed. The average across all panelists determines the threshold of noticeability.  
      The necessary amount of analyte is injected onto the column to achieve a 50 ppb concentration at the detector. Typical gas chromatograph parameters for determining odor detection thresholds are listed below. The test is conducted according to the guidelines associated with the equipment. 
      Equipment: 
        GC: 5890 Series with FID detector (Agilent Technologies, Ind., Palo Alto, Calif. USA)     7673 Autosampler (Agilent Technologies, Ind., Palo Alto, Calif., USA)     Column: DB-1 (Agilent Technologies, Ind., Palo Alto, Calif., USA)     Length 30 meters ID 0.25 mm film thickness 1 micron (a polymer layer on the inner wall of the capillary tubing, which provide selective partitioning for separations to occur)    
        Method Parameters: 
        Split Injection: 17/1 split ratio     Autosampler: 1.13 microliters per injection     Column Flow: 1.10 mL/minute     Air Flow: 345 mL/minute     Inlet Temp. 245° C.     Detector Temp. 285° C.     Temperature Information     Initial Temperature: 50° C.     Rate: 5C/minute     Final Temperature: 280° C.     Final Time: 6 minutes     Leading assumptions: (i) 12 seconds per sniff 
            (ii) GC air adds to sample dilution    
           
       

      The first and second perfume ingredients may comprise, among other things: esters, ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof. Table 1 provides some non-limiting examples of first perfume ingredients and Table 2 provides some non-limiting examples of second perfume ingredients.  
               TABLE 1                          Examples of First Perfume Ingredients                                     Approx.   Approx.           Perfume Ingredients   BP (° C.)   ClogP                                             Allyl Caproate   185   2.772           Amyl Acetate   142   2.258           Amyl Propionate   161   2.657           Anisic Aldehyde   248   1.779           Anisole   154   2.061           Benzaldehyde   179   1.480           Benzyl Acetate   215   1.960           Benzyl Acetone   235   1.739           Benzyl Alcohol   205   1.100           Benzyl Formate   202   1.414           Benzyl Iso Valerate   246   2.887           Benzyl Propionate   222   2.489           Beta Gamma Hexenol   157   1.337           Camphor Gum   208   2.117           laevo-Carveol   227   2.265           d-Carvone   231   2.010           laevo-Carvone   230   2.203           Cinnamyl Formate   250   1.908           Cis-Jasmone   248   2.712           Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate   169   2.243           Cuminic alcohol   248   2.531           Cuminic aldehyde   236   2.780           Cyclal C   180   2.301           Dimethyl Benzyl Carbinol   215   1.891           Dimethyl Benzyl Carbinyl Acetate   250   2.797           Ethyl Acetate   77   0.730           Ethyl Aceto Acetate   181   0.333           Ethyl Amyl Ketone   167   2.307           Ethyl Benzoate   212   2.640           Ethyl Butyrate   121   1.729           Ethyl Hexyl Ketone   190   2.916           Ethyl-2-methyl butyrate   131   2.100           Ethyl-2-Methyl Pentanoate   143   2.700           Ethyl Phenyl Acetate   229   2.489           Eucalyptol   176   2.756           Fenchyl Alcohol   200   2.579           Flor Acetate (tricyclo Decenyl Acetate)   175   2.357           Frutene (tricyclo Decenyl Propionate)   200   2.260           Geraniol   230   2.649           Hexenol   159   1.397           Hexenyl Acetate   168   2.343           Hexyl Acetate   172   2.787           Hexyl Formate   155   2.381           Hydratropic Alcohol   219   1.582           Hydroxycitronellal   241   1.541           Isoamyl Alcohol   132   1.222           Isomenthone   210   2.831           Isopulegyl Acetate   239   2.100           Isoquinoline   243   2.080           Ligustral   177   2.301           Linalool   198   2.429           Linalool Oxide   188   1.575           Linalyl Formate   202   2.929           Menthone   207   2.650           Methyl Acetophenone   228   2.080           Methyl Amyl Ketone   152   1.848           Methyl Anthranilate   237   2.024           Methyl Benzoate   200   2.111           Methyl Benzyl Acetate   213   2.300           Methyl Eugenol   249   2.783           Methyl Heptenone   174   1.703           Methyl Heptine Carbonate   217   2.528           Methyl Heptyl Ketone   194   1.823           Methyl Hexyl Ketone   173   2.377           Methyl Phenyl Carbinyl Acetate   214   2.269           Methyl Salicylate   223   1.960           Nerol   227   2.649           Octalactone   230   2.203           Octyl Alcohol (Octanol-2)   179   2.719           para-Cresol   202   1.000           para-Cresyl Methyl Ether   176   2.560           para-Methyl Acetophenone   228   2.080           Phenoxy Ethanol   245   1.188           Phenyl Acetaldehyde   195   1.780           Phenyl Ethyl Acetate   232   2.129           Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol   220   1.183           Phenyl Ethyl Dimethyl Carbinol   238   2.420           Prenyl Acetate   155   1.684           Propyl Butyrate   143   2.210           Pulegone   224   2.350           Rose Oxide   182   2.896           Safrole   234   1.870           4-Terpinenol   212   2.749           alpha-Terpineol   219   2.569           Viridine   221   1.293                      
 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Examples of Second Perfume Ingredients 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Approx. 
                 Approx. 
               
               
                   
                 Perfume Ingredients 
                 BP (° C.) 
                 ClogP 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 allo-Ocimene 
                 192 
                 4.362 
               
               
                   
                 Allyl Heptoate 
                 210 
                 3.301 
               
               
                   
                 Anethol 
                 236 
                 3.314 
               
               
                   
                 Benzyl Butyrate 
                 240 
                 3.698 
               
               
                   
                 Camphene 
                 159 
                 4.192 
               
               
                   
                 Carvacrol 
                 238 
                 3.401 
               
               
                   
                 cis-3-Hexenyl Tiglate 
                 101 
                 3.700 
               
               
                   
                 Citral (Neral) 
                 228 
                 3.120 
               
               
                   
                 Citronellol 
                 225 
                 3.193 
               
               
                   
                 Citronellyl Acetate 
                 229 
                 3.670 
               
               
                   
                 Citronellyl Isobutyrate 
                 249 
                 4.937 
               
               
                   
                 Citronellyl Nitrile 
                 225 
                 3.094 
               
               
                   
                 Citronellyl Propionate 
                 242 
                 4.628 
               
               
                   
                 Cyclohexyl Ethyl Acetate 
                 187 
                 3.321 
               
               
                   
                 Decyl Aldehyde 
                 209 
                 4.008 
               
               
                   
                 Delta Damascone 
                 242 
                 3.600 
               
               
                   
                 Dihydro Myrcenol 
                 208 
                 3.030 
               
               
                   
                 Dihydromyrcenyl Acetate 
                 225 
                 3.879 
               
               
                   
                 Dimethyl Octanol 
                 213 
                 3.737 
               
               
                   
                 Fenchyl Acetate 
                 220 
                 3.485 
               
               
                   
                 gamma Methyl Ionone 
                 230 
                 4.089 
               
               
                   
                 gamma-Nonalactone 
                 243 
                 3.140 
               
               
                   
                 Geranyl Acetate 
                 245 
                 3.715 
               
               
                   
                 Geranyl Formate 
                 216 
                 3.269 
               
               
                   
                 Geranyl Isobutyrate 
                 245 
                 4.393 
               
               
                   
                 Geranyl Nitrile 
                 222 
                 3.139 
               
               
                   
                 Hexenyl Isobutyrate 
                 182 
                 3.181 
               
               
                   
                 Hexyl Neopentanoate 
                 224 
                 4.374 
               
               
                   
                 Hexyl Tiglate 
                 231 
                 3.800 
               
               
                   
                 alpha-Ionone 
                 237 
                 3.381 
               
               
                   
                 beta-Ionone 
                 239 
                 3.960 
               
               
                   
                 gamma-Ionone 
                 240 
                 3.780 
               
               
                   
                 alpha-Ione 
                 250 
                 3.820 
               
               
                   
                 Isobornyl Acetate 
                 227 
                 3.485 
               
               
                   
                 Isobutyl Benzoate 
                 242 
                 3.028 
               
               
                   
                 Isononyl Acetate 
                 200 
                 3.984 
               
               
                   
                 Isononyl Alcohol 
                 194 
                 3.078 
               
               
                   
                 Isomenthol 
                 219 
                 3.030 
               
               
                   
                 para-Isopropyl Phenylacetaldehyde 
                 243 
                 3.211 
               
               
                   
                 Isopulegol 
                 212 
                 3.330 
               
               
                   
                 Lauric Aldehyde (Dodecanal) 
                 249 
                 5.066 
               
               
                   
                 d-Limonene 
                 177 
                 4.232 
               
               
                   
                 Linalyl Acetate 
                 220 
                 3.500 
               
               
                   
                 Menthyl Acetate 
                 227 
                 3.210 
               
               
                   
                 Methyl Chavicol 
                 216 
                 3.074 
               
               
                   
                 alpha-iso “gamma” Methyl Ionone 
                 230 
                 4.209 
               
               
                   
                 Methyl Nonyl Acetaldehyde 
                 232 
                 4.846 
               
               
                   
                 Methyl Octyl Acetaldehyde 
                 228 
                 4.317 
               
               
                   
                 Myrcene 
                 167 
                 4.272 
               
               
                   
                 Neral 
                 228 
                 3.120 
               
               
                   
                 Neryl Acetate 
                 231 
                 3.555 
               
               
                   
                 Nonyl Acetate 
                 212 
                 4.374 
               
               
                   
                 Nonyl Aldehyde 
                 212 
                 3.479 
               
               
                   
                 Octyl Aldehyde 
                 223 
                 3.845 
               
               
                   
                 Orange Terpenes (d-Limonene) 
                 177 
                 4.232 
               
               
                   
                 para-Cymene 
                 179 
                 4.068 
               
               
                   
                 Phenyl Ethyl Isobutyrate 
                 250 
                 3.000 
               
               
                   
                 alpha-Pinene 
                 157 
                 4.122 
               
               
                   
                 beta-Pinene 
                 166 
                 4.182 
               
               
                   
                 alpha-Terpinene 
                 176 
                 4.412 
               
               
                   
                 gamma-Terpinene 
                 183 
                 4.232 
               
               
                   
                 Terpinolene 
                 184 
                 4.232 
               
               
                   
                 Terpinyl acetate 
                 220 
                 3.475 
               
               
                   
                 Tetrahydro Linalool 
                 191 
                 3.517 
               
               
                   
                 Tetrahydro Myrcenol 
                 208 
                 3.517 
               
               
                   
                 Undecenal 
                 223 
                 4.053 
               
               
                   
                 Veratrol 
                 206 
                 3.140 
               
               
                   
                 Verdox 
                 221 
                 4.059 
               
               
                   
                 Vertenex 
                 232 
                 4.060 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
      Table 3 provides some non-limiting examples of the third and fourth group of perfume ingredients which have a B.P. of greater than or equal to about 250° C.  
               TABLE 3                          Examples of Optional Perfume Ingredients                             Approximate   Approximate       Perfume Ingredients   B.P. (° C.)   ClogP               Allyl Cyclohexane Propionate   267   3.935       Ambrettolide   300   6.261       Amyl Benzoate   262   3.417       Amyl Cinnamate   310   3.771       Amyl Cinnamic Aldehyde   285   4.324       Amyl Cinnamic Aldehyde Dimethyl Acetal   300   4.033       iso-Amyl Salicylate   277   4.601       Aurantiol   450   4.216       Benzophenone   306   3.120       Benzyl Salicylate   300   4.383       Cadinene   275   7.346       Cedrol   291   4.530       Cedryl Acetate   303   5.436       Cinnamyl Cinnamate   370   5.480       Coumarin   291   1.412       Cyclohexyl Salicylate   304   5.265       Cyclamen Aldehyde   270   3.680       Dihydro Isojasmonate   300   3.009       Diphenyl Methane   262   4.059       Ethylene Brassylate   332   4.554       Ethyl Methyl Phenyl Glycidate   260   3.165       Ethyl Undecylenate   264   4.888       iso-Eugenol   266   2.547       Exaltolide   280   5.346       Galaxolide   260   5.482       Geranyl Anthranilate   312   4.216       Hexadecanolide   294   6.805       Hexenyl Salicylate   271   4.716       Hexyl Cinnamic Aldehyde   305   5.473       Hexyl Salicylate   290   5.260       Linalyl Benzoate   263   5.233       2-Methoxy Naphthalene   275   3.235       Methyl Cinnamate   263   2.620       Methyl Dihydrojasmonate   300   2.275       beta-Methyl Naphthyl ketone   300   2.275       Musk Indanone   250   5.458       Musk Ketone   M.P. 1  = 137   3.014       Musk Tibetine   M.P. = 136   3.831       Myristicin   276   3.200       delta-Nonalactone   280   2.760       Oxahexadecanolide-10   300   4.336       Oxahexadecanolide-11   M.P. = 35   4.336       Patchouli Alcohol   285   4.530       Phantolide   288   5.977       Phenyl Ethyl Benzoate   300   4.058       Phenylethylphenylacetate   325   3.767       alpha-Santalol   301   3.800       Thibetolide   280   6.246       delta-Undecalactone   290   3.830       gamma-Undecalactone   297   4.140       Vanillin   285   1.580       Vetiveryl Acetate   285   4.882       Yara—Yara   274   3.235                   1 “M.P.” is melting point (in degrees C.); these ingredients have a B.P. higher than 275° C.             
 
      In the perfume art, some auxiliary materials having no odor, or a low odor, are used, e.g., as solvents, diluents, extenders or fixatives. Non-limiting examples of these materials are ethyl alcohol, carbitol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethyl phthalate, triethyl citrate, isopropyl myristate, and benzyl benzoate. These materials are used for, e.g., solubilizing or diluting some solid or viscous perfume ingredients to, e.g., improve handling and/or formulating. These materials are useful in the perfume compositions, but are not counted in the calculation of the limits for the definition/formulation of the perfume compositions used herein.  
      It can be desirable to use perfume ingredients and even other ingredients, preferably in small amounts, in the perfume compositions described herein, that have low odor detection threshold values. The odor detection threshold of an odorous material is the lowest vapor concentration of that material which can be detected. The odor detection threshold and some odor detection threshold values are discussed in, e.g., “Standardized Human Olfactory Thresholds”, M. Devos et al, IRL Press at Oxford University Press, 1990, and “Compilation of Odor and Taste Threshold Values Data”, F. A. Fazzalari, editor, ASTM Data Series DS 48A, American Society for Testing and Materials, 1978. The use of small amounts of perfume ingredients that have low odor detection threshold values can improve perfume character such as by adding complexity to the perfume character to “round off” the fragrance. Examples of 5 perfume ingredients that have low odor detection threshold values useful in the perfume composition include, but are not limited to: coumarin, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, methyl dihydro isojasmonate, 3-hexenyl salicylate, isoeugenol, lyral, gamma-undecalactone, gamma-dodecalactone, methyl beta naphthyl ketone, and mixtures thereof. These materials can be present at any suitable level. In some embodiments, these materials may be present at low levels 10 in the perfume composition, typically less than 5%, preferably less than 3%, more preferably less than 2%, by weight of the perfume composition.  
     EXAMPLES  
      The following examples numbered A to H, are non-limiting examples of suitable perfume compositions.  
                                                               Perfume ingredient   A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H                                                                    Allyl Caproate   2   —   —   4   —   2   —   3       Citronellyl Acetate   5   8   6   3   5   6   5   3       Delta Damascone   1   0.5   0.9   3   0.8   2   0.6   1       Ethyl-2-methyl Butyrate   8   2   1.5   12   1.5   15   1   11       Flor Acetate   8   —   —   4   —   4   —   5       Frutene   4   —   —   8   —   4   —   8       Geranyl Nitrile   1   15   22   1   28   1   32   5       Ligustral   6   7.5   12   10   8   13   8   10       Methyl dihydro Jasmonate   27.69   37.36   21.89   25   28.04   30   25.70   25.59       Nectaryl   5   —   —   3   —   4   —   3       Neobutanone   0.30   0.09   0.12   0.3   0.1   0.2   0.15   0.4       Oxane   0.01   0.05   0.09   0.01   0.06   0.01   0.05   0.01       Tetrahydro Linalool   32   —   —   26.69   —   18.79   —   25       Methyl nonyl acetaldehyde   —   7   15   —   10   —   8.5   —       Ethyl-2-methyl pentanoate   —   1   1.5   —   1   —   1   —       Iso E Super   —   3   2   —   3   —   3   —       Ionone beta   —   1.5   2   —   1.5   —   1   —       Habanolide   —   3   3   —   3   —   3   —       Geraniol   —   15   12   —   10   —   11   —                  
 
      In other embodiments, the air freshening composition can be dispersed in a manner that provides it with a more consistent release profile. The air freshening composition can be sprayed into the air. Any suitable type of article can be used to spray the air freshening composition into the air. The air freshening composition can be sprayed using any suitable type of sprayer. One suitable type of sprayer is an aerosol sprayer. If an aerosol sprayer is used, it can use any suitable type of propellant. The propellant can include hydrocarbon propellants, or non-hydrocarbon propellants. In some embodiments, it is desirable to use propellants that are primarily non-hydrocarbon propellants (that is, propellants that are comprised of more non-hydrocarbon propellants by volume than hydrocarbon propellants. In some embodiments, the propellant may be substantially free of hydrocarbons such as: isobutene, butane, isopropane, and dimethyl ether (DME).  
      Without wishing to bound by any particular theory, it is believed that one of the reasons that some air fresheners that are dispersed from aerosol cans that utilize hydrocarbon propellants have undesirable release profiles that are characterized by an overwhelming initial burst of scent, and the scent has short longevity in the air, is that sprays from cans that use hydrocarbon as a propellant contain a large number of small droplets of the composition. The large number of small droplets of composition provide a large amount of surface area for exposing the air freshening composition to the air, which is believed to allow the scent to rapidly volatilize, and contribute to the overwhelming initial burst of scent and short longevity of the same.  FIG. 4  shows a comparison of the relatively higher amount of small droplets in a spray that uses dimethyl ether (DME) hydrocarbon as a propellant in comparison to a spray that uses nitrogen as a propellant.  
      Therefore, in some embodiments, it may be desirable for the air freshener to be dispersed from a container that uses a non-hydrocarbon propellant. Such a propellant may include, but is not limited to compressed gas. In addition, some compressed gases can be more environmentally-friendly than hydrocarbon propellants, which may make them more suitable for actual air freshening. Suitable compressed gases include, but are not limited to compressed air, nitrogen, inert gases, carbon dioxide, etc., and mixtures thereof.  
      In one version of such an embodiment, at least some of the spray droplets are sufficiently small in size to be suspended in the air for at least about 10 minutes, and in some cases, for at least about 15 minutes, or at least about 30 minutes. The spray droplets can be of any suitable size. In some embodiments, at least some of the spray droplets have a diameter in a range of from about 0.01 μm to about 500 μm, or from about 5 μm to about 400 μm, or from about 10 μm to about 200 μm. The mean particle size of the spray droplets may be in the range of from about 10 μm to about 100 μm, or from about 20 μm-about 60 μm.  
      The air freshening composition can be packaged in any suitable container. Suitable containers include aerosol cans. In one embodiment, the aerosol can may have a dispenser that sprays the air freshening composition at an angle that is between an angle that is parallel to the base of the container and an angle that is perpendicular thereto in order to facilitate spraying the product into the air. In addition to sprayers that use compressed gas as a propellant, in other embodiments, the desired size of spray droplets can be delivered by other types of devices that are capable of being set to provide a narrow range of droplet size. Such other devices include, but are not limited to: foggers, ultrasonic nebulizers, electrostatic sprayers, and spinning disk sprayers.  
      Malodor Control  
      The air freshening product may also deliver a genuine malodor removal benefit. A genuine malodor removal benefit is defined as both a sensory and analytically measurable (such as by gas chromatograph) malodor reduction. Thus, if the air freshening product delivers a genuine malodor removal benefit, the air freshening product will not function merely by using perfume to cover up or mask odors. However, it is also contemplated herein that some embodiments of the air freshening product may function either partially, or entirely by masking odors. If the air freshening product is provided with a malodor counteractant, the air freshening product may utilize one or more of several types of odor control mechanisms.  
      Malodor Neutralization One type of air freshening composition utilizes a malodor neutralization via vapor phase technology. The vapor phase technology is defined as malodor counteractants that mitigate malodors in the air via chemical reactions or neutralization. More preferably, the malodor counteractants are safe for fabrics.  
      In one embodiment of a composition that utilizes vapor phase technology, the air freshening composition comprises one or more fabric-safe aliphatic aldehydes and/or one or more enones (ketones with unsaturated double bonds). It may also be desirable for these vapor phase technologies to have virtually no negative impact on the desired perfume character. Certain malodor technologies are odoriforess and negatively impact the overall character of the fragrance. In this case, a perfume/malodor counteractant premix is formed such that the perfume raw materials used in this technology are selected to neutralize any odor of the malodor counteractants. This odor neutralized premix can then be added to a parent perfume without affecting the character of the parent fragrance. This permits the vapor phase technology to be used broadly with a large variety of fragrance types. In addition, types of vapor phase technologies that predominately comprise a straight chain aliphatic backbone will not discolor fabrics, unlike products that utilize types of aldehydes that contain multiple double bonds and benzene rings.  
      The malodor counteractants that utilize vapor phase technology can be present in any suitable amount in the perfume composition. In certain embodiments, the malodor counteractants may be present in an amount greater than or equal to about 1% and less than about 50% by weight of the perfume composition. In other embodiments, the malodor counteractants may be present in an amount greater than or equal to about 3% and less than about 30% by weight of the perfume composition. In other embodiments, the malodor counteractants may be present in an amount greater than or equal to about 8% and less than about 15% by weight of the perfume composition.  
      The following table illustrates the importance of proper selection of aldehydes and enones to avoid fabric yellowing.  
                                       Fadometer Test on treated           Fabric (0.75 grams           of product are pipetted onto a 4           inch × 4 inch (10 cm × 10 cm)           swatch which is then subjected to           5 hours of exposure to simulated           sunlight using a SUNTEST           CPS + model Fadometer supplied       Aldehyde Solution Tested   by Atlas, Chicago, Illinois, USA.                  Control - untreated fabric swatch   No yellowing       1000 ppm amylic cinnamic aldehyde   Yellowish brown       (aromatic)       1000 ppm citronellal (aromatic)   Yellowish brown       1000 ppm citral aldehyde (aliphatic)   No yellowing       1000 ppm lauric aldehyde (aliphatic)   No yellowing                  
 
      Examples of suitable aliphatic aldehydes are R—COH where R is saturated C 7  to C 22  linear and/or branched with no more than two double bonds. Additional examples of aliphatic aldehydes are lyral, methyl dihydro jasmonate, ligustral, melonal, octyl aldehyde, citral, cymal, nonyl aldehyde, bourgeonal, P. T. Bucinal, Decyl aldehydes, lauric aldehyde, and mixtures thereof. Examples of suitable enones are ionone alpha, ionone beta, ionone gamma methyl, and mixtures thereof. The malodor counteractant can comprise one or more aliphatic aldehydes, one or more enones, or any combination thereof. The following are several non-limiting examples of perfume formulations that include fabric-safe vapor phase malodor counteractants.  
     Examples of Perfume Compositions with Malodor Counteractants  
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 (1) Pine 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Material Name 
                 Amount 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Rosemary 
                 10.00 
               
               
                   
                 Spike Lavender 
                 10.00 
               
               
                   
                 Lavandin Grosso 
                 5.00 
               
               
                   
                 Spruce (conf.-manh) 
                 5.00 
               
               
                   
                 Camphor Gum 
                 5.00 
               
               
                   
                 Melonal 
                 0.30 
               
               
                   
                 Eucalyptol 
                 15.00 
               
               
                   
                 Iso Menthone 
                 15.00 
               
               
                   
                 Iso Bornyl Acetate 
                 21.70 
               
               
                   
                 Ionone Beta 
                 8.00 
               
               
                   
                 Iso E Super 
                 5.00 
               
               
                   
                   
                 100.00 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 (2) Ozonic 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Material Name 
                 Amount 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Xi Aldehyde 
                 8.00 
               
               
                   
                 2{grave over ( )} 6 Nonadienol 10% In Dpg 
                 5.00 
               
               
                   
                 Helional 
                 13.00 
               
               
                   
                 Hydroxycitronellal 
                 11.50 
               
               
                   
                 Calone 1951 
                 0.50 
               
               
                   
                 2{grave over ( )} 6-Nonadien-1-al/10% In Dpg 
                 5.00 
               
               
                   
                 Lyral 
                 20.00 
               
               
                   
                 Melonal 
                 1.00 
               
               
                   
                 Iso Menthone 
                 10.00 
               
               
                   
                 Floralozone 
                 10.00 
               
               
                   
                 Bourgeonal 
                 10.00 
               
               
                   
                 Delta Muscenone 962191 
                 1.00 
               
               
                   
                 Habanolide 100% 
                 5.00 
               
               
                   
                   
                 100.00 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 (3) Fruity 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Material Name 
                 Amount 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Fruitate 
                 5.00 
               
               
                   
                 Orange Terpenes 
                 13.00 
               
               
                   
                 Ethyl Acetoacetate 
                 3.00 
               
               
                   
                 2{grave over ( )} 6 Nonadienol 10% In Dpg 
                 1.00 
               
               
                   
                 Ethyl Acetate 
                 3.00 
               
               
                   
                 Benzaldehyde 
                 2.00 
               
               
                   
                 Prenyl Acetate 
                 8.00 
               
               
                   
                 Benzyl Acetate 
                 15.00 
               
               
                   
                 2{grave over ( )} 6-Nonadien-1-al/10% In Dpg 
                 1.00 
               
               
                   
                 Ethyl-2-methyl Butyrate 
                 8.00 
               
               
                   
                 Amyl Acetate 
                 3.00 
               
               
                   
                 Cis 3 Hexenyl Acetate 
                 3.00 
               
               
                   
                 Methyl Dihydro Jasmonate 
                 10.00 
               
               
                   
                 Ligustral 
                 5.00 
               
               
                   
                 Melonal 
                 1.00 
               
               
                   
                 Ethyl 2 Methyl Pentanoate 
                 8.00 
               
               
                   
                 Hexyl Acetate 
                 8.00 
               
               
                   
                 Habanolide 100% 
                 3.00 
               
               
                   
                   
                 100.00 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 (4) Citrus 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Material Name 
                 Amount 5 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Orange Terpenes 
                 20.00 
               
               
                   
                 Lemon Terpenes X5 Fold 
                 20.00 
               
               
                   
                 Lime Oil Cf-8-1285-1 (conf.-berje) 
                 10.00 
               
               
                   
                 Grapefruit Phase C - Ref. N*12245 
                 20.00 
               
               
                   
                 Italian Orange Phase Oil 
                 22.90 
               
               
                   
                 Delta Muscenone 962191 
                 0.50 
               
               
                   
                 Oxane 
                 0.30 
               
               
                   
                 Iso Menthone 
                 1.00 
               
               
                   
                 Rhubafuran 
                 0.30 
               
               
                   
                 Habanolide 100% 
                 5.00 
               
               
                   
                   
                 100.00 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 (5) Floral 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Material Name 
                 Amount 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Spike Lavender 
                 5.00 
               
               
                   
                 Rosemary 
                 5.00 
               
               
                   
                 Helional 
                 10.00 
               
               
                   
                 Hydroxycitronellal 
                 10.00 
               
               
                   
                 Benzyl Acetate 
                 9.30 
               
               
                   
                 Lyral 
                 20.00 
               
               
                   
                 Ligustral 
                 2.00 
               
               
                   
                 Melonal 
                 0.20 
               
               
                   
                 Eucalyptol 
                 2.00 
               
               
                   
                 Iso Menthone 
                 8.00 
               
               
                   
                 Bourgeonal 
                 20.00 
               
               
                   
                 Undecavertol 
                 3.00 
               
               
                   
                 Delta Muscenone 962191 
                 0.50 
               
               
                   
                 Habanolide 100% 
                 5.00 
               
               
                   
                   
                 100.00 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
      In certain cases, fabrics that are laundered will have residual brighteners deposited from detergents with which they are washed. Therefore, it may be desirable for the reactive aldehydes to be compatible with brighteners so that the air freshening composition will not discolor any fabrics with which it comes into contact. A number of the examples above are compatible with brighteners.  
      In a number of the examples above, the air freshening composition comprises a mixture of ionones and reactive aldehydes. Aldehydes react with amine odors (such as fish and cigarette odors).  FIGS. 5-7  show one non-limiting example of such an odor removal mechanism.  FIG. 5  shows the presence of butylamine (a fish odor) in the air.  FIG. 6  shows the presence of Lilial (an aldehyde) in the air.  FIG. 7  shows that when the two substances (the odorous butylamine and the malodor counteractant aldehyde—Lilial) are combined, the butylamine and lilial are no longer present in the air, and a new substance is formed without the odors that are characteristic of amines.  
      Liquid Mist Odor Traps  
      Another type of air freshening composition comprises liquid mist odor traps with built in water-soluble malodor counteractants. The liquid mist can remove malodors by taking them out of the air when the mist is suspended in the air and falls to the ground. Hydrophilic malodors (such as smoke, fish, onion, etc) dissolve in the mist in situ in the liquid phase. The non-volatile malodor counteractants (such as cyclodextrins, ionones, polyacrylic acid, etc) neutralize the malodor when the composition is a mist suspended in the air. Cyclodextrin forms complexes with different organic molecules to make them less volatile. lonones react with amines. Polyacrylic acid neutralizes amines and thiols.  
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show the effect of liquid mist odor traps on some common types of odors.  FIG. 8  shows the reduction in concentration of two types of cigarette malodors in the air before and after a malodor counteractant is introduced into the air space.  FIG. 9  shows the reduction in concentration of body and bathroom malodors in the air before and after a malodor counteractant is introduced into the air space.  
      Sensory Modification  
      Other types of air freshening compositions function by sensory modification of those exposed to odors. There are at least two ways of modifying the sensory perception of odors. One way (habituation) is to mask odors using perfume so that a person exposed to the odor smells the perfume more than the odor. The other way (anosmia) is to reduce the person&#39;s sensitivity to malodors. Ionones are compositions that are capable of reducing the sensitivity of a person&#39;s olfactory system to the presence of certain undesirable odors, such as sulfur odors caused by eggs, onions, garlic, and the like.  
      The air freshening composition can employ one or more of the types of malodor control mechanisms and ingredients described above (e.g., hydrophilic odor traps, vapor phase technology, and odor blockers (sensory modifiers).  
      The air freshening composition can be made in any suitable manner. All of the perfume ingredients and any malodor counteractant ingredients can simply be mixed together. In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to use the mixture of perfume and malodor counteractants as a concentrated product (and to dispense such a concentrated product, such as by spraying). In other embodiments, the mixture of ingredients can be diluted by adding the same to some suitable carrier and that composition can dispensed in a similar manner. Any suitable carrier can be used, including, but not limited to aqueous carriers, such as water and/or alcohols.  
      The perfume ingredients and any malodor counteractant ingredients can comprise any suitable percentage of the air freshening composition. The balance can be comprised of the carrier, and any optional ingredients. Optional ingredients include, but are not limited to: solvents, alcohols (e.g., ethanol), surfactants, preservatives, and other quality control ingredients. In certain embodiments, the perfume ingredients and the malodor counteractant ingredients comprise from about 0.01% to about 100% of the air freshening composition, by weight, or any other range within this range. In embodiments in which the perfume and any malodor counteractant ingredients are diluted, one non-limiting example of such a narrower range is between about 0.05% and about 1% of the air freshening composition. In other embodiments, one or more fabric-safe aldehydes and/or or more fabric-safe ionones comprise less than or equal to about 25% of the weight of said composition.  
                                  Air Freshener Composition with Malodor Counteractant               (A) Liquid Product                         Examples                                             I   II   III   IV   V   VI       Ingredients   Wt %   Wt %   Wt %   Wt %   Wt %   Wt %               HPBCD (a)     0.2   —       —       —       Polyacrylic acid   0.1   0.1   0.1   —   0.1   —       Diethylene glycol   0.25   —   —   —   —   —       Silwet L-7600   0.1   0.1   0.1   0.1   0.1   0.1       Sodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate   0.2   0.1   0.2   0.1   0.1   0.2       Ethanol   3.0   5.0   5.0   3.0   5.0   3.0       AQUASOLVED (b)   6.0   3.0   3.0   5.0   3.0   5.0       Perfume A Pine       —   —   —   —   0.2       Perfume B Fruity   —   —   —   0.3   —   —       Perfume C Citrus   —   —   0.3   —   —   —       Perfume D Floral   0.5   0.3   —   —   —   —       Perfume F Ozonic   —   —   —   —   0.3   —       Proxel GXL   0.015   0.015   0.015   0.015   0.015   0.015       HCl or NaOH   to pH 5   to pH 5   to pH 5   to pH 5   to pH 7   to pH 8.0       Distilled water   Bal.   Bal.   Bal.   Bal.   Bal.   Bal.                           (a) Hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin.       (b) Solublizer from Firmenich,Tenaneck, N.J., USA.                 (B) Propellant: Nitrogen preferred                             Examples                                         VII   VIII           Ingredients   Wt %   Wt %                       HPBCD (a)     —   —           Polyacrylic acid   —           Diethylene glycol   —   —           Silwet L-7600   0.1   0.1           Sodium Dioctyl   0.2   0.1           Sulfosuccinate           Ethanol   3.0   5.0           Aquasolved (b)   5.0   3.0           Perfume A Pine       —           Perfume B Fruity   0.4   0.2           Perfume C Citrus   —   —           Perfume D Floral   —   —           Perfume F Ozonic   —   —           Proxel GXL   0.015   0.015           HCl or NaOH   To pH 4   to pH 8           Distilled water   Bal.   Bal.                               (a) Hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin.       (b) Solublizer from Firmenich.          
 
 Ratio of Product to Propellant: 60/40 to 70/30 by volume. 
 
      Methods of Freshening Air  
      The methods of freshening air can comprise providing an air freshening composition that comprises a perfume composition, and optionally one or more malodor counteractants; and dispersing the air freshening composition into the air. The air freshening composition can be dispersed by any of the sprayers, articles and devices described herein, or by any other suitable device, or in any other suitable manner. The air freshening composition can be dispersed in the form of spray droplets, and in some cases, it may be desirable for the droplets to have the droplets sizes of the particular size specified herein. The method can be carried out in such a way to achieve any of the results that are specified herein. For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, the method can be carried out in a manner such that the perfume has an intensity measured on a sensory rating scale of 0-5 that is in a range of greater than or equal to about 2.5 but less than about 3.5 at the following times: (1) 2 minutes after the composition is first dispersed; and (2) 5 minutes after the composition is first disbursed.  
     TEST METHODS  
      Perfume Intensity Test  
     
         
          Odor Room Description—19 m 3  in size, linoleum flooring, dry wall on walls, acoustic tile ceiling. Rooms also contain a toilet, sink, countertop and shower stall.  
          Perfume Intensity Evaluation Procedure  
       
    
      1. The odor room air controller is set for exhaust (which removes air from the room to outside the building) for fifteen minutes.  
      2. A trained odor evaluator verifies that there is not any residual perfume or room odor present in the room. The odor room air controller is set to the “off” position, which stops any air flow or air exchange within the room (note: Relative Humidity and temperature are not controlled and can vary depending on the time of year).  
      3. Trained odor evaluators enter the odor room and close the door.  
      4. An aerosolized air care sample is sprayed in the odor room for three seconds.  
      5. Trained odor evaluators perform perfume odor evaluations over the next sixty seconds, making observations on intensity, character and distribution within the room. All doors are closed upon exiting the room and remain closed during the test period.  
      6. The same trained odor evaluators re-enter the odor room, closing the door upon entry and perform perfume odor evaluations at 5 minutes and 30 minutes after the initial evaluation. 
      Perfume Intensity Scale: 
        5=very strong, i.e., extremely overpowering, permeates into nose, can almost taste it     4=strong, i.e., very room filling, but slightly overpowering     3=moderate, i.e., room filling, character clearly recognizable     2=weak, i.e., can be smelled in all corners, still can recognize character     1=very weak, i.e., cannot smell in all parts of the room     0=no odor 
 
 Malodor Removal Test 
   
        Odor Room Description—640ft 3  in size, linoleum type flooring, dry wall on walls and ceiling.     Odor Evaluation Procedure 
        1. The odor room air controller is set for exhaust (which removes air from the room to outside the building) for a minimum of fifteen minutes.     2. A trained odor evaluator verifies that there is not any residual perfume, malodor contaminant or room odor present in the room. The odor room air controller is set to the “off” position, which stops any air flow or air exchange within the room (note: Relative Humidity and temperature are not controlled and can vary depending on the time of year).     3. A test facilitator introduces malodor into two rooms for malodor testing preparation.     4. Trained odor evaluators enter each room and perform odor evaluations over the next sixty seconds, making observations on malodor intensity, character and distribution within the room. All doors are closed upon exiting the room and remain closed during the test period.     5. A test facilitator sprays an aerosolized test product into only one of the rooms and the other room is maintained as a “malodor only” control.     6. Trained odor evaluators re-enter each room and perform odor evaluations over the next sixty seconds, making observations on intensity, character and distribution within the room. For the room that has been treated with the test product observations are made on both perfume odor and malodor reduction. All doors are closed upon exiting the room and remain closed during the test period.     7. The same trained odor evaluators re-enter each of the two odor rooms, closing the door upon entry and perform malodor and/or perfume odor evaluations at 5 minutes and 20 minutes after the initial evaluation.    
        Room Malodor Intensity Scale: 
        5=very strong, i.e., overpowering, permeates into nose, can almost taste it     4=strong, i.e., very room filling, but not overpowering     3=moderate, i.e., room filling, character clearly recognizable     2=weak, i.e., can be smelled in all corners, still can recognize character     1=very weak, i.e., cannot smell in all parts of the room     0=no odor    
       

      The air freshening composition can, in certain embodiments, provide a reduction is malodors in any amount after any period of time including, but not limited to 5 minutes and 20 minutes after initial evaluation.  
      In both of the foregoing tests, it is possible to have intensities that are between (e.g., midway between) any of the numbers on the scale.  
      The disclosure of all patents, patent applications (and any patents which issue thereon, as well as any corresponding published foreign patent applications), and publications mentioned throughout this description are hereby incorporated by reference herein. It is expressly not admitted, however, that any of the documents incorporated by reference herein teach or disclose the present invention.  
      All percentages stated herein are by weight unless otherwise specified. It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this specification will include every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.  
      While particular embodiments of the subject invention have been described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications of the subject invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, while the present invention has been described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not by way of limitation and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims which should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.  
      The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”.  
      All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.  
      While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.