Aqueous deodorants and deodorizing methods.

0001This invention relates to a range of aqueous deodorants which exhibit a marked deodorizing effect over long periods of time on various substances which are physiologically toxic or unpleasant malodorous sources.

0002Physiologically toxic or unpleasant malodors occur widely in the living environments of man, for ex­ample in the production, processing, repacking, filling, storing, freshness retaining, transportation, discarding, etc. of various products typically of industry, agri­culture, forestry, animal husbandly and fishing. There are a large variety of substances which cause such malodors, but in many cases, the main components of these are organic and/or inorganic compounds having a molecular weight of less than several hundred, for example sulfur-­containing ocmpounds such as sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans and alkylsulfides, ammonia, nitrogen oxides represented by N_xO_y (where both x and y are integers), amines such as methylamines, aldehydes, mer­captans, indoles such as indole and skatole, and peptones.

0003The following measures have been taken for controlling such various physioloigcally toxic and un­pleasant malodor-causing substances. <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li>(1) Utilization of the masking action of a third substance for the purpose of changing the nature of smells, or alleviating or reducing the smells. Examples of such a third substance are naphthalene, p-dichloro­benzene, camphor oil, citronella oil, lemon oil, tur­pentine oil, essential oils and perfumes.</li><li>(2) Utilization of an offsetting action whereby two or more different smells are mixed in specific pro­portions to make the malodors unperceptible by man. For example, a combination of musk and almond, a combination of skatole and coumarine and a combination of ethylmer­captan and eucaryptus may be utilized.</li><li>(3) Utilization of adsorbents such as activated carbon or silica gel.</li><li>(4) Utilization of a chemical deodorizing method on sources of sulfur-containing malodors, for example a toilet tank additive comprising a combination of ferrous sulfate and ascorbic acid.</li><li>(5) Use of a household aerosol comprising an aqueous solution of a combination of lauryl methacrylate, o-phenyl phenol, geraniol or crotonate with citric acid or malic acid sealed in a metal container together with Freon, dimethyl ether, propane or butane.</li><li>(6) A method which comprises washing malodorous air with water and then discharging the clean air. The method based on the use of an adsorbent such as cactivated cabon is effective only to some extent unless used in a closed system, and has a short effective life.</li></ul>

0004The chemical deodorizing method using ferrous sulfate has the defect that when ferrous sulfate changes to ferric sulfate, an article to be treated (such as an apparel) is discolored and the types of malodor-causing substances to which it can effectively applied are limited.

0005The method of masking malodors using perfumes having strong fragrance has the disadvantage that since the components of the perfumes have odors, they cannot exhibit a sufficient deodorizing effect on ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans.

0006One of the present inventors already discovered deodorants which are not perfumed, have high versatility and no discoloration, and show a long-lasting deodorizing effect on a broad range of malodorous substances. Such deodorants were proposed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 160737/1979 as "a liquid deodorant com­prising an aqueous medium and polyacrylamide as an active component", and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 157834/1979 as "a liquid deodorant comprising poly(sodium acrylate) as an active component". The specifications of these patent publications state that the deodorizing effects of these deodorants are increaased by using sodium acrylate/acrylamide copolymer in combination.

0007It is an object of this invention to provide a deodorant which is applicable to a much wider range of malodor-causing substances than the deodorants disclosed in the above-cited Japanese patent documents, and has resistance to fermentative decomposition by bacteria or enzymes and durability of the effect.

0008According to this invention, there are provided a deodorant comprising as essential components [I] a water-soluble organic polymer having a number average molecular weight of at least 100,000 and containing at least one group selected from the class consisting of a carboxyl group and its ammonium salt, ammonium/alkali metal mixed salts and alkanolamine salts; sulfoalkyl groups, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, and a phosphonic acid group and their alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, alkanolamine salts and alkali metal/­ammonium/alkanolamine mixed salts; and cationic groups or a quaternary ammonium complound of the polymer, and [II] an aqueous medium; and a method of deodorization, which comprises spraying the deodorant into a flowing or non-­flowing gas, spraying it to the surface of a solid or liquid, impregnating it into a porous material, or in­corporating it into a powder or a gel-like substrate.

0009According to this invention, there are also provided an aqueous deodorant comprising as essential components a water-soluble organic polymer having a number average molecular weight of at least 100,000 and contain­ing at least one group selected from the class consisting of an amide group, an imide group, a carboxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, sulfoalkyl groups, a phosphoric acid group and a phosphonic acid group, alkali salts thereof, and cationic groups, and/or its quaternary ammonium com­pound, and at least one material selected from (a) a water-soluble organic polybasic acid having not more than 15 carbon atoms and/or a salt thereof, (b) an organic monobasic acid and a salt thereof, (c) a water-soluble carbonate and/or bicarbonate, (d) a water-soluble oxoacid salt of sulfur, (e) a water-soluble alkanolamine or aqueous ammonia, (f) a mixture of iodine pentoxide and sulfur, (g) a water-soluble natural polymer, and (h) an alkali metal hypochlorite and a derivative thereof; and a method of deodorization which comprises spraying the deodorant into a flowing or non-flowing gas, spraying it on the surface of a solid or liquid, impregnating it into a porous material, or mixing it with a powder or a gel-­like substrate.

0010The nonionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric water-soluble organic polymer having a number average molecular weight of at least 100,000 and containing at least one of an amide group; an imide group; a carboxyl group or an ammonium salt, ammonium/alkali metal mixed salt or alkanolamine salt thereof; a sulfomethyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphoric acid group and/or a phosphonic acid group or an alkali metal salt, an ammonium salt, an alkanolamine salt and/or a mixed salt of these groups; and cationic groups is a polymer or copolymer derived from the following monomers or a mixture of such polymer or copolymer. <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none"><li>(1) Examples of ethylenically unsaturated monomers having an amide or imide group Acrylic monomers having not more than 12 carbon atoms, for example acrylamide, methacrylamide [the two will be inclusively referred to as (meth)acrylamide], monoalkylated (meth)acrylamide, alkylenebis(meth)acryl­amide (the alkylene group preferably has not more than 4 carbon atoms, and may be partly replaced by the OH group), and diacetone (meth)acrylamide.</li><li>(2) Examples of monomers containing a polymeriz­able unsaturated group bearing a carboxyl group (giving anionic property) Monomers having a polymerizable unsaturated group and not more than 8 carbon atoms such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, 2-(meth)acryloyloxy­ethylsuccinic acid, 2-(meth)acryloyloxyethylphthalic acid and 2-(meth)acryloyloxyhydrophthalic acid.</li><li>(3) Examples of monomers having a polymerizable unsaturated group with a sulfonic acid group, a sulfoalkyl group (preferably 2 or 3 carbons), a phosphoric acid group or a phosphonic acid group (giving anionic property) Monomers containing a sulfonic acid group, a sulfoalkyl group or a phosphonic acid group having not more than 10 carbon atoms such as vinylsulfonic acid, mono[2-(meth)acryloyloxyethyl] acid phosphate, sulfoethyl (meth)acrylate, sulfopropyl methacrylate, 2-(meth)acryl­amide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, ethylenesulfonic acid, and vinylphosphonic acid.</li><li>(4) Examples of monomers having cationic groups (giving cationic property) Monomers having cationic groups having not more than 15 carbon atoms such as dimethylaminoethyl (meth)­acrylate, dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate, dillyldi­methylamine, diallyldidiethylamine, vinylbenzyldimethyl­amine, and N-t-butylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate.</li><li>(5) Examples of monomers having a polymerizable unsaturated group and a quaternary ammonium salt structure (giving strong cationic property) Monomers having a quaternary ammonium salt structure obtained by reacting the aforesaid monomers (4) having cationic groups with at least one inorganic or organic acid such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, succinic acid, malonic acid, DL-malic acid, ascorbic acid, borogluconic acid, galactogluconic acid, gluconic acid, citric acid, iso-valeric acid, lactic acid, phosphorylated lactic acid, levulinic acid and propionic acid. Typical examples include 2-(meth)acryloyl­oxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, 2-hydroxy-3-(meth)­acryloyloxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, vinyl benzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, and sulfites of these.</li><li>(6) Other copolymerizable nonionic monomers may be used as copolymer components together with (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5). In addition to (co)polymers comprising at least one of the monomers (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) and the copolymers (6), the following (co)polymers and their modified products may be cited.</li><li>(7) Polymers having an ammonium salt structure formed by adding the inorganic or organic acids shown in (5) above or other inorganic or organic acids to aqueous solutions of cationic polymers, cationic copolymers or amphoteric copolymers composed of or comprising the cationic monomes (4) to quaternize them.</li><li>(8) Cationic or amphoteric polymers obtained by subjecting nonionic or anionic polymers or copolymers (as exceptions, cationic or amphoteric copolymers) composed of or comprising the monomers (1) to a Mannich reaction, known as a method of introducing a cationic group, whereby formaldehyde is reacted with a primary amine or preferably a secondary amine having not more than 5 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, such as dimethylamine as shown by the following scheme:- <chemistry id="chem0001" num="0001"><img file="EP0210073A2_D0001.tif" /></chemistry> This method is easiest and most economical for the produc­tion of cationic or amphoteric polymers or copolymers.</li><li>(9) Polymers obtained by modifying the cationic or amphoteric (co)polymers of (8) so as to have a quater­nary ammonium salt as in (7) above.</li><li>(10) Polymers obtained by introducing an anionic group into nonionic or cationic (as exceptions, anionic or amphoteric) copolymers comprising acrylamide or methacryl­amide as a main constituent monomer by reacting form­aldehyde and a bisulfite ion (S₂O<img file="EP0210073A2_D0002.tif" />⁻) thereby to introduce a sulfomethylated group.</li><li>(11) Monomers capable of constituting other water-soluble organic polymers, such as vinyl pyrroli­dione, polyethhylene glycol mono(meth)acrylate (molecualr weight not mroe than 4,000), and polypropylene glycol mono(meth)acryalte (molecular weight not more than 4,000), glycerol mono(meth)acrylate.</li></ul>

0011The monomers having acidic groups such as (2) and (3) may be used as such or in the form of salts with alkali metals, ammonium, and/or alkanolamine groups having not more than 10 carbon atoms, such as 2-amino-2-­methyl-1-propanol. Neutralization with the alkaline substance may be carried out at any stage before or after polymerization. Or it may not be carried out at all.

0012Examples of the method of producing water-­soluble organic polymer as an essental component in this invention are given below.

(1) Process of producing water-soluble organic polymers

0013The cationic, anionic or amphoteric polymer used in this invention can be produced by methods as shown below. <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none"><li>i) A monomer such as (meth)acrylamide, and/or cationic monomers and/or anionic monomers to be described below are free-radically (co)polymerized usually in water either alone or as a mixture. In this case, the number average molecular weight of the polymer should be adjusted to at least 100,000, preferably 1,000,000 [a method of producing a nonionic (meth)acrylamide polymer which is used as the intermediate and of producing anionic, cationic and amphoteric polymers].</li><li>ii) An alkali such as sodium hydroxide or an acid is added to the polymer composed only of (meth)­acrylamide obtained by the method i) to hydrolyze the polymer partly or wholly. Alternatively, the polymer is first converted to its complete or partial salt, and a small quantity of strong acid such as hydrochloric acid and then ammonia and/or an alkanolamine such as 2-­methyl-2-amino-1-propanol are added to the alkali salt to produce an ammonium salt of the polymer or an alkali metal/ammonium mixed salt of the polymer. [Method of producing anionic polymers]</li><li>iii) When the polymer obtained by the method i) is produced by copolymerizing (meth)acrylamide with a carboxyl group-containing monomer or a polymer composed of a monomer containing only acidic groups, it is neutralized with ammonia and/or an alkanolamine or a mixture thereof with an alkali metal hydroxide (a method of producing anionic polymers).</li><li>iv) When the polymer obtained by the method i) is a water-soluble copolymer of (meth)acrylamide and monomers containing such acid groups, a sulfonic acid group and/or a phosphoric acid group and/or a phosphonic acid group, it is used without neutralization or after being neutralized with an alkali metal hydroxide. Pre­ferably, it is neutralized with an aqueous solution of ammonia and/or an alkanolamine or neutralized so that it is converted to an ammonium/alkali metal mixed salt or an alkanolamine/alkali metal mixed salt. (Method of pro­ducing anionic polymers)</li><li>v) When the polymer obtained by the method i) is polymer comprising cationic monomers or a copolymer con­taining a cationic monomer, the tertiary amino group of the polymer or copolymer is reacted with an acid such as hydrochloric acid to convert it to a quaternary ammonium salt, thereby imparting stronger cationic property (cat­ionic polymer).</li><li>vi) When the polymer obtained by the method i) is obtained by the polymerization or copolymerization of (meth)acrylamide, it is reacted with formaldehyde and a secondary amine having not more than 8 carbon atoms in total, such as dimethylamine (known as the Mannich reac­tion) to form a dimethylamino-N-methyl(meth)acrylamide polymer. As required, a quaternary ammonium salt struc­ture is formed as mentioned in the method v). (Production of cationic polymers)</li><li>vii) The (meth)acrylamide polymer or copolymer obtained by the method i) is wholly or partially sulfo­methylated by reacting it with formaldehyde and bisulfite ions(S₂O<img file="EP0210073A2_D0003.tif" />⁻)ora salt thereof (a method of producing anionic polymers).</li><li>viii) Amphoteric polymers may be produced by copolymerizing an anionic monomer and a cationic monomer with or without adding acrylamide; rendering the amide groups of the anionic copolymers obtained by the methods i), ii), iii), iv) and vii) cationic by the Mannich re­action in vi); or by partially hydrolyzing the amide group of the cationic copolymers obtained by the method v) and vi) (production of amphoteric polymers).</li></ul>

0014The (co)polymers obtained by various methods may be used singly or two or more of them may be used as a mixture so long as they are not coagulated. They may also be mixed with polyacrylamide, poly(sodium acrylate) or other water-soluble polymeric compounds.

0015The water-soluble organic polymer used in this invention, contains 5 to 95% by weight of the (meth)acryl­amide component, and has a number average molecular weight of at least 100,000. If the average molecular weight is less than 100,000, the deodorizing effect of the polymer is low. Water-soluble organic polymers having a number average molecular weight of at least 1,000,000 give favorable results. The level of the number average mol­ecular weight can be easily determined by measuring the viscosity of the polymer by means of a Brookfield visco­meter with a rotor No. 2 (#2 SPINDLE) using a 1% aqueous solution of the polymer at 20°C at a rotor rotating speed of 60 rpm. Water-soluble organic polymers which are neutral and have a viscosity of not more than 100 centi­poises roughly have a number average molecular weight of less than 100,000, and their deodorizing effect is small. Those having a viscosity of not more than 1000 centipoises have a fairly good deodorizing effect. Viscosities of at least 1000 centipoises roughly correspond to number average molecular weights of at least 1,000,000. Those having a viscosity of at least 3,000 centipoises show a very superior deodorizing effect.

0016Of course, the accurate molecular weight of the polymers can be measured in a customary manner. When the water-soluble polymer is a copolymer, there are many factors of viscosity variations, and the intrinsic vis­cosity method cannot be applied directly to the copolymer. In this case, the following method must be used. The copolymer is hydrolyzed with an alkali to poly(meth)­acrylic acid or another polyacid without involving de­composition of the polymer, and thereafter, the hydrolyzed polymer is methy-esterified with diazomethane. The in­trinsic viscosity of the methyl ester is then measured, and the molecular weight is calculated on the basis of the intrinsic viscosity.

0017Table 1 below shows specific examples of typical water-soluble organic polymers of used in this invention. <tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><img file="EP0210073A2_D0004.tif" /></tables>

0018In the methods described in the above-cited Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publications, the polymeric compounds used are nonionic or anionic. For example, nonionic polyacrylamide having a number average molecular weight of about 8,000,000 shows a considerably high deo­dorizing effect on some kinds of malodor-causing sub­stances, but in many cases, their deodorizing effects are limited, and complete deodorization cannot be achieved. Poly(sodium acrylate) in usual form of use has a low deodorizing effect on many malodorous substances or malodorous gases except on acidic gases such as hydrogen chloride gas or nitrogen oxides because it has low co­agulating power. Anionic copolymers of acrylamide and ammonium acrylate in a weight ratio of 95-80/5-20 having a molecular weight of 8,000,000 show a considerably improved deodorizing effect on malodorous substances having cat­ionic charges such as skatole, ammonia and methylamine than the above nonionic polyacrylamide, but have only an insufficient deodorizing effect on anionic malodorous substances such as hydrogen sulfide, sodium bisulfite, ammonium sulfite, hydrogen chloride gas, fatty acids, phenols and methyl disulfide. It has been determined by the present inventors that cationic polymers show es­pecially good deodorizing effects on such anionic malodorous substances. Amphoteric polymeric compounds show a much better deodorizing effect than, or in other words about 2 to 3 times on an average as good as, non­ionic polymeric deodorants on not only these anionic or cationic malodorous substances but also on most of other malodorous substances including styrene, acetylene, mer­captans, aldehydes, noninic malodorous substances, fecal odors and putrefying odors.

0019However, even when amphoteric polymeric com­pounds which have the best deodorizing effect, are ver­satile and have high flocculating ability are used, it is difficult to obtain a deodorizing efficiency of 100%, and the deodorizing efficiency is generally 70 to 90% at the highest. By using these various polymeric compounds in combination with various water-soluble additives having low toxicity and applying the mixtures in aqueous form, a deodorizing effect of nearly 100% can be obtained.

0020Substances which are added as essential com­ponents to the water-soluble organic polymers in this invention are shown below.

(a) Water-soluble organic polybasic acids having not more than 15 carbon atoms and salts thereof:-

0021Nontoxic organic polybasic acids used in carbo­nated drinks, such as succinic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid and DL-malic acid, are preferred. In some applica­tions, other dibasic acids such as oxalic acid, itaconic acid, sebacic acid, dodecanedioic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, glycerophosphoric acid and malonic acid can also be used. Water-soluble salts of these acids, for example their alkali metal salts, calcium salts, ammonium salts and alkalnol(C₁₂ or lower)amine salts, may also be used.

(b) Organic monobasic acids and salts thereof

0022These are water-soluble low-toxic organic mono­basic acids which are odorless or non-malodorous. Ex­amples include benzoic acid, borogluconic acid, carbamic acid, hippuric acid, isovaleric acid, lactic acid, lacto­phosphoric acid, levulinic acid, methionic acid, panto­thenic acid, phenolsulfonic acid, propionic acid, sali­cyclic acid, carbamic acid and ascorbic acid. Their salts include the alkali metal salts, calcium salts, iron salts, ammonium salts and alkanol(C₁₂ or lower)alkanolamine salts.

0023It is noteworthy that when these odorless low-­toxic organic acids (a) or (b) are added in the form of alkali metal salts or calcium salts under weak acidity to an aqueous solution of the water-soluble organic polymer used in this invention rather than using them directly, there is an outstanding improvement in deodorizing effects on malodors from acidic gases such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and hydrogen sulfide, putrefy­ing odors of proteins, and malodors from animal excre­tions, and the durability of the deodorizing effects is also improved. The amounts of these substances to be added to the water-soluble organic polymer may be deter­mined depending upon the concentration of a malodorous gas generated.

(c) Water-soluble carbonates and/or bicarbonates

0024Carbonates and/or bicarbonates of alkali metals, ammoinum and/or alkanolamines having not more than 12 carbon atoms can be used.

(d) Water-soluble oxoacid salts of sulfur

0025For the direct purpose of deodorization, thio­sulfates, bisulfates, persulfates, pyrosulfates, acidic sulfites and acidic sulfates are used. Bases used for neutralizing these acids are alkali metals, calcium, ammonium, and/or alkanolamines having not more than 12 carbon atoms.

(e) Water-soluble alkanolamines and aqueous ammonia

0026The alkanolamines are preferably odorless, and examples are triisopropanolamine and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-­propanol.

(f) Mixture of iodine pentoxide and sulfuric acid

0027Preferably, the mixture contains about 15 to 35% by weight of sulfuric acid.

(g) Water-soluble natural polymers and derivatives thereof

0028There can be used water-soluble natural polymers which gel upon concentration and/or acidification, such as sodium alginate, gum arabic, pectin, agar, carrageenan (a kind of sea algae), abelmoschus and mannose, and deriv­atives of these.

(h) Alkali metal hypochlorites

0029Sodium, potassium and lithium hypochlorites can be used.

0030One or more of the above additives are selected according to the type of a malodor-causing substance. The amount of the additive varies depending upon the concen­tration of the malodor-causing substance, but can usually be selected from the range of 1 to 10000 ppm in the deo­dorant.

0031When the additives are used alone for deodoriz­ing purposes, they may show a fairly high deodorizing effect on some particular malodor-causing substances, but the effect is still inferior to the case of using them in combination with the water-soluble organic polymers used in this invention. This may be attributed to the follow­ing possible reasons. <ul id="ul0004" list-style="none"><li>1) The additive alone cannot completely deo­dorize a malodor-causing substance unless it is used in a stoichiometrically excessive amount with respect to the malodor-causing substance. However, when it is used in combination with the organic polymer in accordance with this invention, a complete deodorizing effect can be obtained in many cases by using the additive in a con­centration below the stoichiometrical amount. This is presumably because of the flocculating action of the polymer.</li><li>2) Where there are many kinds of complex malodor-causing substances as in putrefying odors of animal materials or animal excretions, the additive alone has a very low deodorizing effect and cannot last long. When a deodorizing liquid having a pH of 3.5 to 4.5 by including DL-malic acid as the additive is used, its deodorizing effect becomes longer lasting presumably because it inhibits the growth of putrefying bacteria on the surface of the malodor-causing substances. The addition of calcium benzoate, calcium ascorbate, calcium gluconate, calcium carbamate, calcium propionate or an alkali metal salt thereof under weak acidity or neutrality brings about a synergistic effect of increasing deodorization of malodors whose main cause is the genera­tion of hydrogen sulfide as in putrefying odors of mate­rials of the animal origin or animal excretions with longer lasting properties.</li><li>3) When a single additive is used as an aerosol or spray, its scattering particles stay only for a short period of time in air, and upon loss of moisture, settle as crystals or a powder. Thus, unless it is sprayed continuously, its deodorizing effect rapidly disappears. When it is used in combination of the water-soluble organic polymer in accordance with this invention, fine particles of the sprayed deodorant liquid dry gradually in air, and with it, the organic polymer, while being mixed with the additive, is given buoyancy by the evaporation of moisture and thus can stay long in air as porous fine particles having a low density. This is considered to be the reason why the deodorant shows a high deodorizing effect.</li></ul>

0032The concentration of the water-soluble organic polymer used in this invention is 0.05 to 50 ppm, prefer­ably 0.1 to 20 ppm, most preferably 0.5 to 5 ppm, as solids in the aqueous medium. It is very important to prevent biodegradation of the polymer and to take measures so as to maintain the level of the molecular weight of the polymer. For this purpose, it is desirable to sterilize water for dilution by boiling or the like and to reduce the level of the dissolved oxygen, preferably to zero. Preferably, a preservative or antiseptic is added to the diluting water in a concentration within the range legally stipulated. Examples of the preservative or antiseptic include ethanol, acetone, ethers such as diethyl ether, glyoxal, glycerol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether, sodium benzoate, alkali salts of sorbic acid, isobutyl p-hydroxybenzoate, isopropyl p-hydroxybenzoate, ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate, sodium dehydroacetate, and a minute amount (not more than 0.01%) of formaldehyde. Furthermore, to prevent inclusion of putrefying bacteria, enzymes and/or decomposing bacteria, it is preferred to control devices used in the dissolution, dilution, mixing, transportation, storing and filling of the polymer and in the deodorizing operation carefully throughout the entire operations.

0033The deodorizing method using the deodorant of this invention is preferably carried out by spraying the deodorant onto a flowable or nonflowable gas, liquid or solid which has malodors and/or give off malodors by using an aerosol method or by means of a spray gun.

0034As aerosol propellants, propane gas, butane gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, dimethyl ether, and freon gases which are a series of chlorofluoro­alkanes sold by E. I. du Pont de Nemours &amp; Co., for ex­ample, are sealed into metal containers having a jet nozzle. The spray gun is desirably of the type which can disperse the deodorant into as fine particles as possible, and both airless-type and air-type spray guns may be used.

0035In another embodiment of the deodorizing method, the deodorant of the invention is impregnated in advance in various forms of solids, for example a powder, fiber, film or porous material is brought into approach to, or contact with, a gas, liquid or solid which gives off malodors to thereby achieve deodorization.

0036The water-soluble organic polymers used in the deodorant of this invention show a considerable removing effect on malodorous components such as a wider range of toxic gases and offensive odors. This effect is con­sidered to be due to a physical flocculating effect rather than to a chemical reaction. When the water-­soluble organic polymers are atomized into toxic gases or malodorous gases or as impregnated or included into a substrate, are contacted with such gases, they efficiently capture the malodorous components physically. However, depending upon the types of the malodorous components, the extent of capturing is low or imperfect or the capturing effect does not last long. By further incorporating the aforesaid additives, the malodorous components can be captured more effective, namely not only physically but also chemically.

0037According to the present nvention, malodorous components can be efficiently removed by a combination of the physical capturing effect of the water-soluble organic polymers used in this invention and the chemical capturing effect of the additives properly selected according to the purpose of deodorization. Since the malodor-causing substances physically and chemically captured as above become nontoxic solids or a gel-like mixture or composite with the water-soluble organic polymers, they have a high specific gravity and easily settle. In particular, when the deodorant of this invention is used adsorbed on a porous or gel-like substrate, its effect lasts for an extended period of time. It is noteworthy that when a diluted aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate is sprayed onto HCl gas or a diluted aqueous solution of sodium sulfite is sprayed onto SO₂ gas to remove these gases in the form of NaCl or NaHSO₃ respectively, the inclusion of about 5 ppm of the aforesaid water-soluble organic polymer (for example, polyacrylamide having a number average molecular weight of about 8,000,000) in the diluted aque­ous solution can surprisingly lead to the same or higher level of removal ratio even if the concentration of sodium bicarbonate or sodium sulfite is lowered to 1/3 to 1/5 of its amount actually reacted. The present inventors have confirmed from many examples that the efficiency of capturing malodorous components depends 60 to 80% upon physical capturing by the flocculation of the water-­soluble organic polymer, and 20 to 40% upon the chemical capturing by the additive.

0038The deodorant of this invention has a higher deodorizing effect than known deodorants containing polyacrylamide or poly(sodium acrylate). The reasons may be ascribed to the following. <ul id="ul0005" list-style="none"><li>(1) When there are many kinds of malodor-caus­ing substances, deodorants containing a (co)polymer of (meth)acrylamide or sodium (meth)acrylate or a mixture thereof do not show a sufficient effect on some kinds of the malodor-causing substances. With the deodorant of this invention, affinity between the polymer and the malodor-causing substance can be increased, and thus the deodorizing effect can be increased, by making the charge of the polymer suitable for the malodor-causing substance. Since the polymers used in the deodorant of this invention are cationic, weakly anionic or amphoteric, it can be applied to a broad range of substances which give off malodors.</li><li>(2) The effect of the deodorant of this inven­tion is considered to be attributed to the physical floc­culating effect to a greater extent than to the chemical reaction of the malodor-causing substance and the polymer as an active component of the deodorant. When the deodorant is atomized toward a malodorous gas, the fine particles of the deodorant are afloat for a relativley long period of time since the concentration of the polymer is low and the size of the deodorant is fine. In addition, the buoyancy of the fine particles of the deodorant is pro­moted by evaporation of moisture, and the fine particles of the deodorant are kept in contact with the malodor-­causing substance for a long time to adsorb on it and/or occlude it. This is presumably the reason for the good deodorizing action of the deodorant of this invention. Probably, the flocculation of the polymer occurs at this time.</li></ul>

0039When the deodorant of this invention makes contact withe the malodor-causing substance and had captured it, the flocculating power of the polymer is larger than in the deodorant containing poly(meth)acryl­ amide or (meth)acrylamide/sodium acrylate copolymer. Hence, the deodorant of this invention can exhibit higher deodorizing effect.

0040The range of malodor-causing substances which can be deodorized by the deodorizing agent of this inven­tion depend greatly upon the electrical charge of the polymer. Those containing amphoteric polymers are most versatile and have a higher deodorizing effect than those containing nonionic polymers. Cationic or anionic poly­mers may have suitable deodorizing effects for some kinds of malodor-causing substances. Weakly cationic or weakly anionic polymers often give deodorants of higher perform­ance than strongly cationic or anionic polymers.

0041The deodorant of this invention can exhibit a deodorizing effect on gases, liquids and solids which give off odors, particularly malodors, and can be used in various applications. Examples of the application include removal of tobacco smell, smells of toilets, and offensive odors of garbage; removal of malodors in vehicles such as automobiles, buses, aircraft, trains and ships and air­conditioned buildings such as hospitals, precision fac­tories and warehouses; removal of malodors in swinery, a cattle raising farm, a chicken farm, a livestock product processing factory and a marine product processing fac­tory; removal of toxic substances or malodors such as formaldehyde, amines, hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans, phenol, ozone and NO_x dissipated into the air from fac­tories producing plastic products, rubber products, pulp and paper, rayon, cellophane and fibers, a printing fac­tory, a painting factory, a steel-making factory, a foundry, and automobiles; removal of body odors from fibvrous household tricles such as blankets, sheets, carpets, shirts and diapers; removal of malodors in re­frigerators, houses and offices; inhibition of malodors from wet-type duplicating machines; and removal of the smell of paper money.

0042Table 2 summarizes typical embodiments of the present invention. In the table the following abbrevia­tions were used in regard to the ionic properties of the water-soluble organic polymers used as essential com­ponents and the method of application.

0043N: nonionic C: cationic A: anionic AM: amphoteric SP: spraying by a spray gun AS: use of an aerosol containng a propellant gas ST: dropwise addition to a gaseous stream SC: spraying of an aqueous solution of a gas removing agent, or sprinkling of a powder treated with this solution PW: a solid first treated with an aqueous gas removing agent and then it is used as such or as a mixture with anotehr solid PR: addition or impregnation to or in a filter, paper, fabrics, felts, etc. by spraying or beating GL: included into a powder or a gel-like sub­strate <tables id="tabl0002" num="0002"><img file="EP0210073A2_D0005.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0003" num="0003"><img file="EP0210073A2_D0006.tif" /></tables>

0044The following Examples and Referential Examples illustrate the present invention more specifically. In these examples, percentages given are by weight (except for percent decreases).

Examples 1 to 8 and Referential Examples 1 to 7

0045An aqueous solution (150 ml) was prepared by dissolving each of the water-soluble organic polymers shown in Table 3 and ethyl alcohol uniformly in aseptic water having no dissolved oxygen so that the solids con­centration of the polymer was 0.0001% (1 ppm) and the content of ethyl alcohol was 3.3%. The aqueous solution was put into an aluminum container having a capacity of 230 ml and equipped with a spray nozzle. Dimethyl ether (about 80 ml) was sealed into the container to prepare an aerosol deodorant.

0046Each of the malodor-causing substances indicated in Table 4 was filled in a closable cubic rectangular chamber of non-permeable polyethylene film each side measuring 1 m and having a height of 2 m. At a site 30 cm below the center of the ceiling of this chamber, the above aerosol was sprayed out twice for 2 seconds downwardly. After standing for 60 seconds, the percent decrease of the malodor-causing substance from its amount before the aerosol application was determined, and the results are shown in Table 4. <tables id="tabl0004" num="0004"><img file="EP0210073A2_D0007.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0005" num="0005"><img file="EP0210073A2_D0008.tif" /></tables>

Example 9 and Referential Examples 8 and 9

0047In the same test chamber as used in Examples 1 to 8, a thick cigar (ROMEO Y JULIETA made by Havana Cuba) was lit and smoked 10 times by a person having a breathing capacity of about 3,000 for 3 minutes to fill the chamber with the smoke. An aerosol deodorant having the polymer G used in Example 4 (Example 9) was sprayed for 2 seconds three times in the chamber. Thereafter, three non-smoking persons were caused to smell the remaining odor. It was recognized that the smell of the cigar was nearly com­pletely removed.

0048On the other hand, an aerosol deodorant contain­ing polymer A used in Referential Example 1 (Referential Example 8) and an aerosol containing the polymer B used in Referential Example 2 (Referential Example 9) were not so effective in the same test, and marked remaining of the cigar smell was perceived.

Examples 10 and 11 and Referential Examples 10 and 11

0049A deodorant having each of the compositions shown in Table 5 was sprayed by a spray gun into an ex­haust opening in a foundry at a rate of 100 ml/m³ of exhaust gas per minute. This foundry had a large amount of peculiar malodors discharged during the casting of metals using shell molds produced by using granular phenolic resin (FOUNDREZ TD-3430-B of Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.). The results are shown in Table 5. <tables id="tabl0006" num="0006"><img file="EP0210073A2_D0009.tif" /></tables>

Example 12

0050A deodorant solution containing 5 ppm of a copolymer of acrylamide/ammonium acrylate (weight ratio of 60/40 and having a number average molecular weight of 7,500,000, 200 ppm of glycerol and 5 ppm of sodium de­hydroxyacetate was supplied intermittently to a filter made of a nonwoven fabric for use in centralized heating and air ventilation in buildings. Thus, while wetting the filter in this way, ventilation was carried out. It was confirmed that odors from during rooms, odors from lavatories, tobacco smells and offensive odors from out­side could be efficiently removed, and clear and fresh feelings could be given to people within the buildings.

Example 13

0051In chemical plants handling various chemicals and in sewage in districts where houses and factories existed together, odors were given off when piling up sludges on the ground or transporting them. To remove such odors, an aqueous solution containing 10 ppm of the polymer of Example 7 was sprayed in liquid form onto the surface of the sludges or by a spray gun at a rate of less than 100 ml/m² It was confirmed that unless the rain washed it off, the deodorant aqueous solution remained effective for several days.

Examples 14 and 15 and Referential Examples 12 and 13

0052Wool brankets were immersed in each of the deodorants shown below, squeezed by a centrifugal de­hydrator to a pick-up of about 85%, dried completely to a constant weight, and continuously used without washing by three boys aged 18, 20 and 22 having strong body odors for ten days during sleeping at night. The state of adsorp­tion of the body odors to the b10.5ets was then evaluated by three women aged 28, 36 and 49, respectively, having a keen sense of smell. The results are shown below. <tables id="tabl0007" num="0007"><img file="EP0210073A2_D0010.tif" /></tables>

Example 16 and Referential Example 14

0053An acrylamide/ammonium acrylate (60/40) copoly­mer having a number average molecular weight of about 8,500,000 was added to a solution containing 20% of neu­tral sodium sulfate as Na₂SO₄. The solution was con­centrated and taken out in the form of crystals of Na₂SO₄.10H₂O. Sodium sulfate crystals containing a small amount of the water-soluble polymer showed an excellent deodorizing effect as a deodorant for application to dip-up type toilets, animal corpses, garbages, and the like.

0054On the other hand, the application of Na₂SO₄. 10H₂O alone did not show a sufficient deodorizing effect.

Example 17

0055Water containing 18 ppm of the polymer of Example 16 was added to 0.05 g of sodium sorbate to form a mixture having a weight of 100 g. The mixture was heated and uniformly dissolved. Then, the solution was cooled to room temperature and put in a mold having a size of 4 cm × cm × 5 cm to gel it. When the resulting gel was put in a cloth bag and used in refrigerators and inside auto­mobiles as a deodorant, it showed an excellent deodorizing effect.

Examples 18 to 33 and Referential Examples 15 to 22

0056A mixture of (96.7 - x) parts by weight of each of the polymers shown in Table 6 as a 0.0002% (2 ppm) solution, 3.3 parts by weight of ethanol and x parts by weight of each of the additives indicated in Table 7 was uniformly dissolved in aseptic water containing no dis­solved oxygen to prepare an aqueous solution. Each of the various malodorous substances shown in Table 7 was filled in a cubic closed chamber surrounded by non-permeable polyethylene film each side measuring 1 m and having a height of 2 m. The aqueous solution was sprayed by an air spray gun at a site 30 cm below the center of the ceiling of the chamber twice for 2 seconds in a total amount of 36 ml. After standing for 60 minutes, the percent decrease of the toxic gas from its amount before the spraying was measured, and the results are shown in Table 7. <tables id="tabl0008" num="0008"><img file="EP0210073A2_D0011.tif" /></tables>

0057The concentration of the gas was measured by using a Kitagawa-type gas detector (KITAGAWA PRECISION GAS DETECTOR).<maths id="math0001" num=""><img file="EP0210073A2_D0012.tif" /></maths>

0058The concentration of the additive shows the weight percent based on the solution. <tables id="tabl0009" num="0009"><img file="EP0210073A2_D0013.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0010" num="0010"><img file="EP0210073A2_D0014.tif" /></tables>

Example 34 and Referential Examples 23 and 24

0059Ethanol (5 ml) and 1.5 g of DL-malic acid were added to an aqueous solution containing 0.5 ppm as solids of the polymer N shown in Table 6 to prepare 150 ml of a solution. The solution was filled in an aluminium can having a 230 ml spray-nozzle, and about 80 ml of dimethyl ether was sealed into the can to prepare an aerosol can (Example 34).

0060Separately, an aerosol can was prepared as above except that DL-malic acid was not added (Referential Example 23).

0061The aerosol deodorant was jetted out onto the entire surface of each of the test substances shown in Table 8 at a site about 10 cm apart from it, and there­after, the degree of malodors was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 8. <tables id="tabl0011" num="0011"><img file="EP0210073A2_D0015.tif" /></tables>

0062The odors were evaluated by a panel of five persons having a normal sense of smell, a 22 year-old male, a 30-year old male, a 31 year-old male, a 52 year-­old female and a 68-year old male on the basis of the followng five grades. Both extremities were excluded from the resulting evaluation data, and the remaining three data were averaged, and shown in Table 8. ++: very unpleasant smell of putrefaction +: considerably strong smell of putrefaction +-: some smell of putrefaction -: slight smell of putrefaction --: no smell of putrefraction

Example 35

0063A wood fire retardant which contained 190 g of 3-(dimethylphosphono)propionamide, 400 g of methylated hexamethylolmelamine, 10 g of nonyl phenol ethylene oxide (40 moles) adduct, 1 g of a defoamer (NOPCO NDW, a product of Sunnopco Co.) and 24 g of hydrogen chloride per kg, was water-soluble at room temperature-curable and had a pH of 2.1 and a free formaldehyde content of 0.9% was sprayed onto the surface of a wood by an airless spray gun. At the same time, the deodorant of Example 20 was lightly blown into air in front of the operator and above the operator. The operator was casued to wear a protective respiration mask on all over his face (ULTRATWIN RESPIRATOR sold by MSA Japan Co., Ltd.; a nonwoven fabric impregnated with a mixture of the aqueous solution of Example 1 and 0.2% of sodium bicarbonate was used in a respiration cartrige), and allowed to perform the opera­tion for about 1 hour. The operator did not at all feel irritation to the mucosa of the eyes or the nose by form­aldehyde or the acidic treating liquor during the opera­tion. The amount of hydrogen chloride and formaldehyde detected in the gas taken from inside the mask by means of a gas detecting tube were zero. Thus, irritant gases were completely prevented from dissipating into the air around the working environment.

Example 36 and Referential Example 25

0064Two plywoods of Siebold's beech having a thick­ness of 5.5 mm and coated with the treating liquors of Example 35 at a rate of about 200 g/m² were left to stand horizontally for 24 hours at 25°C to gel the treating liquor. A solution prepared by adding 0.05% of sodium dehydroacetate was added to the solution of Example 18 was coated on the surface of one of the plywoods at a rate of 60 g/m² (Example 36). The other plywood (Referential Example 25) was left untreated. The two plywoods were each put in a desiccator at 25°C and 65% RH (no moisture controlling agent), and left to stand for 48 hours. Then, the rubber stopper was pulled from the desiccator, and the amount of free formaldehyde was measured. It was 0 ppm in Example 36, but 12 ppm in Referential Example 25.

Examples 37 to 39 and Referential Examples 26 and 27

0065An aqueous solution was prepared which contained 0.05 g of tartaric acid (Example 37), citric acid (Example 38) or succinic acid (Example 39), 0.05% of sodium sorbate and 20 ppm of the water-soluble polymer N of Example 18. Furthermore, an aqueous solution containing only the water-soluble polymer N (Referential Example 26) was prepared. Each of the aqueous solutions was impregnated into a cloth for diapers, and dried.

0066Separately, a non-treated cloth was used in Referential Example 27.

0067Ten milliliters of human urine was dropped onto the central part of the cloth by a measuring pipette, and the cloth was put into a polyethylene bag. The bag was closed, and left to stand at 30°C. Changes in odor were examined.The results are shown in Table 9. <tables id="tabl0012" num="0012"><img file="EP0210073A2_D0016.tif" /></tables>

Examples 40 and 50 and Referential Examples 28 to 31

0068The following four water-soluble organic poly­mers having different monomer composition or different substituents were prepared. <tables id="tabl0013" num="0013"><img file="EP0210073A2_D0017.tif" /></tables>

0069Since the catonic and amphoteric polymers contained formaldehyde, dimethylamine and acrylamide, and the nonionic and anionic polymers contained acrylamide, these polymers were each well washed with pure ethanol, and dried at low temperatures. The dried polymers were then dissolved in boiling deionized water to prepare 0.1% (1000 ppm) aquoues solutions. These polymers had a number average molecular weight of about 8,000,000.

0070By using these aqueous solutions, a series of deodorising tests shown in Table 10 were caried out.

0071The methods of measuring the concentration of the gas and the percent decrease were the same as in Examples 18 to 33.

0072The concentration of the polymer in the deodor­ant solution was 5 ppm as solids, and the concentration of ethanol in it was 4% by weight. <tables id="tabl0014" num="0014"><img file="EP0210073A2_D0018.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0015" num="0015"><img file="EP0210073A2_D0019.tif" /></tables>

Examples 51 to 53 and Referential Example 32

0073The polymers I, J and K shown in Table 10 were tested for deodorizing effects on offensive odors gener­ated incessantly from a patient with a cancer in the last stage hospitalized in a hospital in Tokyo and an old man requiring incessant care of the family because of a loss of free activity. The test was carried out for about 2 months by the cooperation of physicians and nurses of the hospital and the family of the patient.

Deodorizing testing methods

0074<ul id="ul0006" list-style="none"><li>(1) An aerosol comprising a mixture of 65% by weight of an aqueous solution containing 3.5 ppm of each of the polymers, 4% of ethanol and an additive and 35% by weight of dimethyl ether was sealed into a corrosion-­resistant metallic can. The aerosol was sprayed intermit­tently into a room evolving offensive odors for several seconds each time.</li><li>(2) An aqueous solution containing about 10 ppm of each of the polymers and an additive was put into a receptable containing dirts or excretions.</li><li>(3) Each of the polymers was added to a con­centration of 5 to 10 ppm to rinsing water for washing apparel.</li><li>(4) The solution mentioned in (2) above was impregnated into a large bath towel and lightly dehy­drated. The bath towel was then suspended in a room evolving offensive odors.</li></ul>

Formulations and test results

Referential Example 32

0075In the case of using only the anionic polymer I, a fairly good result was obtained by any of the testing methods (1), (2), (3) and (4), but the offensive odors could not completely be removed.

Example 51

0076The polymer J made weakly acidic by addition of DL-malic acid had slightly improved deodorizing properties over Referential Example 32 by any of these testing methods.

Example 52

0077When as in Example 49, the polymer was converted to a quaternary ammonium salt and then neutralized with sodium bicarbonate, the deodorant showed an improvement in deodorizing effect over Referential Example 32. The durability of the deodorizing effect was also observed.

Example 53

0078A deodorant solution obtained by adding 0.05% of calcium benzoate to 3.5 ppm of the amphoteric polymer K shows a particularly superior effect of removing the offensive odors to that in Referential Example 32 by any of the testing methods (1), (2), (3) and (4).

Example 54 and Referential Examples 33 and 34

0079Equimolar proportions of formaldehyde and di­methylamine were added to an aquoues solution of an anionic copolymer of acrylamide/acrylic acid (weight ratio 85/15) having a number average molecular weight of about 8,000,000. They were reacted to prepare an aquoues solu­tion containing 10% as solids of an amphoteric polymer of acrylamide/acrylic acid/dimethylamino-N-methylacrylamide (weight ratio 70/15/15). A large amount of methanol was added to the aqueous solution to coagulate the polymer. The mixture was filtered, well washed with methanol, and dried to a constant weight with air at 40°C. The dried product was washed with pure ethanol to remove the un­reacted materials. The amounts of the toxic unreacted materials contained in a 0.1% aqueous solution of this polymer were as follows: Formaldehyde: less than 5 ppm (the absorbance method using acetylacetone; detection limit 5 ppm) Acrylamide: not detected (gas chromatographic method; detection limit 10 ppm) Dimethylamine: not detected (high-performance chromatographic method; detection limit 5 ppm)

0080The 0.1% aqueous solution was tested for LC50 (median lethal concentration) on killi-fish by the method set forth in JIS K-0102. In the 24-hour test, the LC50 was more than 50,000 ppm, and in the 48-hour test, it was 17,500 ppm.

0081Aluminum aerosol cans containing 65 parts by weight of 4.0 ppm as solids of the 0.1% aqueous solution mentioned above and 4% of pure ethanol (Example 54), aluminum aerosol cans prepared as above using polyacryl­amide having a number average molecular weight of about 8,000,000 (Referential Example 33) and aluminum aerosol cans prepared as above using acrylamide/sodium acrylate (50/50 by weight) copolymer having a number average mol­ecular weight of 8,000,000 were handed to 7 monitors (2 for each), and they were requested to perform a deodoriz­ing test on malodors such as a fecal smell, household garbage, tobacco smokes and body odors on apparels. As a result of the tests, all agreed in evaluation as follows:- First place: Example 54 (the deodorizing effect was particularly good) Second place: Referential Example 33 (the deodorizing effect was good, but inferior to Example 54) Third place: Referential Example 34 (no signi­ficant deodorizing effect)

Example 55

0082The 0.1 aqueous solution of the polymer used in Example 54 was sprayed in a concentration of 1 ppm to 10 ppm as solids on entrails of animals or fish or putrefied products thereof. The offensive odors could be markedly reduced.

Example 56

0083The polymer used in Example 55 was adjusted to pH 2.5 with citric acid and converted to a quaternary ammonium salt. The quaternary ammonium salt type of the polymer was then used as in Example 55. The deodorizing effect increased considerably and its durability also increased. This is presumably because the putrefaction was prevented by the acid, and ammonia and alkylamines generated were neutralized with the acid.