FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10 and rule 13]
“Consumer Products Comprising Combination Of
Actives”
Name and address of the Applicant
RELIANCE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LIMITED
Floor-4, Plot-298/302, Court House Lokmanya Tilak Marg,
Kalbadevi, Mumbai 400002, Maharashtra, India
Nationality: IN
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.
2
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to consumer products having antimicrobial action,
particularly to consumer products that are meant for homecare or personal care.
BACKGROUND 5 & PRIOR ART
Antimicrobial ingredients have been commonly used in home and personal care
compositions. Some ingredients provide certain extent of log reduction in microbial, e.g.,
bacterial count of a surface to which they are applied. Depending on nature of the
composition, the surface may be animate or inanimate. On the other hand, some other
10 compositions provide a certain minimum log reduction within short contact-time, generally
within 60-seconds of application.
WO2020134936 A1 (ZHUHAI NATURE JOURNEY BIOTECHNOLOGY) discloses the use
of 0.04 to 0.08 wt% food-grade plant-derived composite bacteriostat to cosmetics. This
15 application is to provide an alternative for chemical preservatives in cosmetics. The
bacteriostat comprises cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and trans-methoxy cinnamaldehyde.
JP2000344641 A (Lion) discloses a composition for oral cavity containing erythritol,
menthol and a fragrance ingredient selected from anethole, menthone, cineole, limonene,
20 carvone, methyl salicylate, ethyl butyrate, eugenol, thymol, cinnamaldehyde, and trans-2-
hexenal in the weight ratio of 50:1 to 2:8.
WO2010046238 A1 (Unilever) discloses cleansing and personal care compositions
comprising thymol and terpineol in selective proportions for fast- acting antimicrobial
25 action.
GB191029565 A (Horace, 1911) discloses a mouthwash comprising carbolic acid, oil of
peppermint, oil of aniseed, saccharine, thymol, menthol, oil of wintergreen, oil
of cinnamon, phenolphthalein, ammonia, alcohol and water.
30
We have observed that formulating a consumer product with Terpineol, especially a home
and personal care product, involves a technical problem. Terpineol has distinct and
characteristic aroma which may suit certain formulations but may not be suitable for certain
compositions which, for example, comprise other fragrance ingredients. The aroma of
35 terpineol might seem overpowering and tending to mask other fragrance ingredients. The
aroma tends to be pronounced at lower and higher pH, e.g., at pH from 4 to 6 and from 8
to 11.
3
However, exclusion of terpineol could adversely affect antimicrobial efficacy of the
compositions, especially the activity within, for example, less than a minute of application.
Despite the limitations associated with terpineol, available consumer 5 products continue to
use terpineol. However, in the present application, the present inventors have provided
home and personal care compositions devoid of the odour profile usually associated with
terpineol and which are at least as efficacious as the compositions that comprise terpineol.
It is observed that while finding an efficacious alternative for terpineol, it is necessary to
10 ensure that antimicrobial efficacy is not compromised.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a first aspect, disclosed is an aqueous consumer product comprising:
a) 0.005 to 2 wt% thymol; and
15 b) 0.005 to 2 wt% cinnamaldehyde,
wherein said product comprises not more than 0.001 wt% terpineol.
The invention is based on the surprising observation that a combination of thymol and
cinnamaldehyde, without the inclusion of terpineol, provides significant log-reduction
20 against microbe including but not limited to E.coli, at contact time less than 60-seconds.
The invention can therefore be made industrially applicable in the form of variety of
consumer products, especially home and personal care products such as cosmetic
compositions, where antimicrobial activity at short contact time is desired, or could be
provided as a secondary benefit to consumers.
25
This observation is surprising considering that some other known antimicrobial agents
unexpectedly failed to provide identical or similar synergistic effect when combined with
thymol. Such combinations failed to provide appreciable log-reduction at contact time of
30 seconds.
30
By way of the invention, the present inventors have provided technical advancement in the
field of antimicrobial consumer products in the form of home and personal care
compositions at least as efficacious as those which contain terpineol, but without the
associated odour profile which may be disliked by consumers. The present inventors have
35 thereby provided consumer products that can be freely formulated with a range of perfume
or fragrance ingredients that would otherwise be at least olfactorily incompatible with
terpineol.
4
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
These and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description and the
appended claims. For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the present
invention may be utilized in any other aspect of the invention. The 5 word “comprising” is
intended to mean “including” but not necessarily “consisting of” or “composed of.” In other
words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. It is noted that the examples
given in the description below are intended to clarify the invention and are not intended to
limit the invention to those examples per se. Similarly, all percentages are weight/weight
10 percentages unless otherwise indicated. When for a specific feature multiple preferred
ranges are described in the format “from x to y”, it is understood that all ranges combining
the different endpoints are also contemplated. In other words, in specifying any ranges of
values, any particular upper value can be associated with any particular lower value.
15 Throughout the present disclosure, the term ‘antimicrobial’ is intended to convey the
ordinary conventional meaning of the term readily understood by a person skilled in the art
and intends to cover a characteristic that exerts destructive or inhibitory effect on the
growth of microorganisms, including but not limiting to bacteria, viruses, algae, protozoans
and fungi (such as mould and mildew). The term is also used in reference to agents having
20 the ability to kill or inhibit or impede the growth of microorganisms. Thus, this term and its
likes is used to cover the characteristics of the composition of the present disclosure that
either prevents growth of the microorganisms, or completely kills the microorganisms that
contact with the composition.
25 As used herein, the term ‘antibacterial’ is intended to convey the ordinary conventional
meaning of the term readily understood by a person skilled in the art and intends to cover
bacteriostatic or bactericidal activity of the composition of the present disclosure, wherein
‘bacteriostatic’ typically means that the composition prevents the growth of bacteria (i.e., it
keeps them in the stationary phase of growth), and ‘bactericidal’ means that it kills bacteria.
30
The term consumer product means fast-moving consumer goods typically further classified
into cosmetics, homecare compositions and personal care compositions. Fast-moving
consumer goods (FMCG), also known as consumer packaged goods (CPG), are products
that are sold quickly and at a relatively lower cost. Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG),
35 also called consumer packaged goods (CPG), refer to products that are highly in-demand,
sold quickly, and affordable. Such items are considered “fast-moving” as they are quick to
leave the shelves of a store or supermarket because consumers use them on a regular
5
basis. In the context of the present invention, the term consumer products does not include
food and refreshment compositions such as biscuits, snacks, tea and other beverages.
The term “log reduction” as used herein means a 10-fold or 90% reduction in the number
of viable microorganisms. By “2 log” reduction it is meant that the number 5 of viable bacteria
or other microorganisms is reduced by 99%. By “4 log” reduction it is meant that the
number of viable bacteria or such other microorganisms is reduced by 99.99%.
"Home and Personal care (HPC) products" means all products, goods and services
10 relating to the treatment, cleaning, caring or conditioning of either or both of the following
(i) the person, (ii) the home and its contents. The foregoing shall include, but not be limited
to, chemicals, compositions, products, or combinations thereof having a use or application
in treatment, cleaning, cleansing, caring or conditioning of the person (including in
particular the skin, hair and oral cavity) and/or household care and laundry care products
15 for the treatment, cleaning, caring or conditioning of surfaces, furniture and atmosphere of
the home and household contents, including laundry, and the manufacture of all of the
foregoing. This definition shall also include, but not be limited to, any packaging, tools or
devices for use with the same.
20 Home care composition means a composition suitable for upkeep of home and
surroundings including fabric care through liquid laundry composition; and upkeep of
surroundings which includes surfaces e.g., utensils, dishes through liquid dishwash
compositions e.g., hand dishwash compositions. "Fabric and home products" means
products or devices generally intended to be used or consumed in the form in which they
25 are sold and that are for treating fabrics, hard surfaces and any other surfaces in the area
of fabric and home care, including: air care including air fresheners and scent delivery
systems, car care, dishwashing, fabric conditioning (including softening and/or freshening),
laundry detergency, laundry and rinse additive and/or care, hard surface cleaning and/or
treatment including floor and toilet bowl cleaners, and other cleaning for consumer or
30 institutional use.
"Household Care product" means all products relating to the treatment, cleaning, caring or
conditioning of the home and its contents. such surfaces, furniture and atmosphere of the
home and household contents, and the manufacture of all of the foregoing. This definition
35 shall also include, but not be limited to, any packaging, tools or devices for use with the
same.
6
"Laundry Care product" means all products relating to the treatment, cleaning, caring or
conditioning of clothes.
"Personal Care product" means all products for treatment, cleaning and/or care of skin,
hair, nails 5 and oral care.
"Oral care product" means products intended to provide benefits for oral care, oral hygiene,
teeth and gum care.
10
"Deodorant and Antiperspirant Product" means products that are intended to prevent or
modify body odor or perspiration.
The present invention relates to a consumer product comprising:
15 a) 0.005 to 2 wt% thymol; and
b) 0.005 to 2 wt% cinnamaldehyde
wherein said product comprises not more than 0.001 wt% terpeniol.
Consumer products having antimicrobial activity are relevant for personal use, such as in
20 the form of a cream or lotion. In addition, such products are equally relevant for inanimate
surfaces such as clothes, handles, desks, and bathrooms where the surfaces are prone to
microbial growth. Such products may not be a replacement for commercial surface
cleaning compositions which are stronger and more potent. However, the combination of
components as described in the present invention when formulated as a home care
25 composition, may serve as a useful supplementary or secondary composition to be used
in conjunction with traditional surface cleaning compositions.
On the other hand, in the context of consumer products which are personal care
compositions, such as creams, lotions and shampoo, it is generally known that people
30 want to take care of their body to keep it hygienic. The hygiene of skin, which includes
scalp and hair, is generally managed and maintained by keeping it free of infection. The
efficacy of compositions of the invention when formulated as a personal care composition,
is achieved through the use and deposition of minimal amounts of the antimicrobial active
as per the invention such that any microbe, such as E.coli, that usually resides on the skin,
35 is either killed or deactivated to control the spread of diseases due to contact and
proliferation of microbes. Another approach is to improve or enhance the innate immunity
7
of the skin by the application of the composition of the invention in the form of a personal
care composition.
Thymol
Preferably the thymol is in purified form. Thymol is present in a desired 5 concentration in
the consumer product. The consumer product of the invention comprises thymol in an
amount ranging from 0.005 to 2 wt.%, including all the values in the range, for instance,
0.006 wt.%, 0.007 wt.%, 0.008 wt.%, 0.009 wt.% and so on and so forth, up until 2 wt.%.
Preferably the consumer product comprises 0.01 to 1 wt% thymol. The thymol is obtained
10 from synthetic origin.
Contrary to expectations of the inventors, neither of Nerol, Isopulegol, Limonene,
Eucalyptol, Guiacol and Anethol provided any synergistic antimicrobial effect when
combined with Thymol but based on published literature disclosing the antimicrobial
15 activity of the named ingredients, such an interaction and effect was expected.
Antimicrobial activity means that the composition is capable of killing or at least cause
substantial reduction of the common disease-causing microbes. The common diseasecausing
gram-positive organisms includes Streptococcus and Enterococcus spp. Some of
20 common disease-causing gram-negative organisms includes Escherichia coli, Salmonella,
Klebsiella and Shigella
Cinnamaldehyde
The consumer product of the invention comprises cinnamaldehyde in an amount ranging
25 from 0.005 to 2 wt.%, including all the values in the range, for instance, 0.006 wt.%, 0.007
wt.%, 0.008 wt.%, 0.009 wt.% and so on and so forth, up until 2 wt.%. Cinnamaldehyde is
obtained from synthetic origin.
Eugenol
30 In some embodiments, the consumer product may comprise 0.001 to 1 wt% eugenol.
In some embodiments, the consumer product comprises 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and
0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
35 In some embodiments, the consumer product comprises 0.01 to 1 wt.% of thymol and
0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
8
The consumer product of the invention comprises not more than 0.001 wt% terpineol. More
preferably the consumer product of the present invention comprises not more than 0.0005
wt% terpineol. A miniscule amount of terpineol may be present as an impurity or
unintentional inclusion in fragrance ingredients. It may not be technically possible to
formulate compositions that are entirely free or devoid of terpineol. The 5 terpineol may be
alpha-terpineol, beta-terpineol, gamma-terpineol or a mixture thereof. More particularly the
terpineol is alpha-terpineol.
Accordingly, the consumer product of the present invention comprises 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
10 thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde and 1 to 99% wt.% of water and terpineol is
not more than 0.001 wt.%. The terpineol in the consumer product is not added, but it is
present as an unavoidable impurity.
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the invention comprises 1 to 20 wt%
15 water. Such compositions include soap bars, fabric cleaning bars and laundry detergent
powder.
Alternatively, the consumer product of the invention comprises 20 to 99 wt% water.
Preferably the water activity of the product is greater than 0.9. The amount of water would
20 depend primarily on the nature of the consumer product. For example, if the consumer
product is a cosmetic skin cream, the product may contain 30 to 50 wt% water. On the
other hand, if the product is a liquid laundry detergent, the product may contain 50 to 70
wt% water. Further, if the product is micellar water, it may contain 90 to 99 wt% water.
25 Accordingly, in some embodiments, the consumer product comprises 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde and 1 to 99% wt.% of water and wherein
terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%. In an embodiment, the water in the consumer
product could be in the range of 1 to 20 wt.%, 30 to 50 wt.%, 50 to 70 wt.% or 90 to 99
wt.%.
30
In some embodiments, the consumer product comprises 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005
to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde and 1 to 20% wt.% of water, and wherein terpineol is not
more than 0.001 wt.%. Such a consumer product is selected from a group comprising soap
bars, fabric cleaning bars and laundry detergent powder.
35
9
In some embodiments, the consumer product comprises 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005
to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde and 30 to 50% wt.% of water, and wherein terpineol is not
more than 0.001 wt.%. Such a consumer product is skin cream
In some embodiments, the consumer product comprises 0.005 to 2 wt.% 5 of thymol, 0.005
to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde and 50 to 70% wt.% of water, and wherein terpineol is not
more than 0.001 wt.%. Such a consumer product is liquid laundry detergent.
In some embodiments, the consumer product comprises 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005
10 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde and 90 to 99% wt.% of water, and wherein terpineol is not
more than 0.001 wt.%. Such a consumer product is micellar water.
In an embodiment, the combination of thymol and the cinnamaldehyde present in the
consumer product being primarily hydrophobic interact with the lipids present in the cell
15 membrane of microorganism, thereby result in metabolic damages and cell death. Thus,
the consumer product of the present invention exhibits significant antimicrobial activity.
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention comprises fragrance
ingredient. In an embodiment, the fragrance ingredient employed in the consumer product
20 of the invention are commercially available from a range of suppliers including global
suppliers like Firmenich, Givaudan and IFF. The purpose of providing fragrance ingredient
in the consumer product is to provide a consumer-desired odour profile such that the
olfactory properties of the products at the time of use or application on the intended surface
would be more appealing to the end-users or consumers. The formulation scientists have
25 the skills necessary to formulate a variety of products containing a wide array of fragrance
ingredients.
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention comprises 0.005 to
2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, 1 to 99% wt.% of water and
30 fragrance ingredient, and wherein the terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention has pH ranging from
4 to 11 at 25 °C. In an embodiment, pH of the consumer product is 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7,
7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5 10, 10.5 or 11.
35
10
Accordingly, the consumer product of the present invention comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, 1 to 99% wt.% of water and wherein the
terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%, has a pH ranging from 4 to 11 at 25 °C.
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention 5 comprises additional
ingredients alongside 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde.
Presence of additional ingredients depends on nature and purpose of the consumer
product. . In such a consumer product, the terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%. For
example, if the consumer product is a homecare composition, such as a laundry detergent
10 liquid it will comprise water, a combination of surfactants, enzymes, hydrotropes and
shading dyes. On the other hand, if the consumer product is personal care composition,
such as micellar water, it will comprise substantial amount of water and preservative
alongside 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde. In addition, the
choice of additional ingredients and their wt.% would vary considerably depending on the
15 nature and purpose of the consumer product. For example, if the consumer product of the
invention is in the form or a personal care composition, for example, a personal cleansing
composition, then depending on the format, it could comprise anywhere from 10 to 70 wt%
soap, i.e., sodium salt of alkali metal fatty acids. For example, a liquid handwash
composition typically comprises 10-15 % soap and at least one of surfactants, polymers,
20 thickener, perfume and preservatives, alongside 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.%
of cinnamaldehyde, and wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%, a bar comprises
30 to 70 wt% soap and at least one of surfactants, polymers, thickener, perfume and
preservatives, alongside 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde,
and wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%, and a reconstitute bodywash or
25 handwash powder composition has non-soap surfactants, polymers, thickener, perfume
and preservatives alongside 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde,
and wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
30 In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention comprises nonsoap
anionic surfactants alongside 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
cinnamaldehyde, and wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%. The non-soap
anionic surfactants include salts of organic sulphates and sulphonates having C8-C22
alkyl groups. Examples include alkyl sulphates, alkyl ether sulphates, alkaryl
35 sulphonates, alpha-olefin sulphonates and mixtures thereof. The alkyl ether sulphates
may contain from one to ten ethylene oxide or propylene oxide units per molecule, and
preferably contain one to three ethylene oxide units per molecule. The counterion for
11
anionic surfactants is generally an alkali metal such as sodium or potassium; or an
ammoniacal counterion such as monoethanolamine, (MEA) diethanolamine (DEA) or
triethanolamine (TEA). Mixtures of such counterions may also be employed. Sodium and
potassium are preferred. Some alkyl sulphate surfactant (PAS) may be used, such as
non-ethoxylated primary and secondary alkyl sulphates with 5 C10-C18. Alkyl ether
sulphates having a straight or branched C10-C18 and 1 to 3EO units per molecule are
used in liquid laundry detergents.
The consumer product of the present invention may comprise non-ionic surfactant in an
amount of 0.1 to 20 wt%, alongside 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
10 cinnamaldehyde, and wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%. Examples of the
non-ionic surfactant include C8 to C22 alkyl phenol ethoxylates with an average of from 5
to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol; and aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates
such as C8 to C18 primary or secondary linear or branched alcohol ethoxylates with an
average of from 2 to 40 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
15
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention may additionally
comprise one or more further surfactants, such as amphoteric (zwitterionic) and/or cationic
surfactants.
20 When the consumer product of the invention is a dishwash composition, the dishwash
composition additionally comprises a betaine including alkyl betaine, alkyl amido betaine,
alkyl amidopropyl betaine, alkyl sulphobetaine and alkyl phosphobetaine, wherein the alkyl
groups have C8 to C20 groups. Examples include cocodimethyl sulphopropyl betaine,
cetyl betaine, laurylamidopropyl betaine, caprylate/caprate betaine,
25 capryl/capramidopropyl betaine, cocam idopropyl hydroxysultaine, cocobutyramido
hydroxysultaine, and preferably lauryl betaine, cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium
cocamphopropionate. Preferably the betaine is cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). Said
additional components are present alongside 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.%
of cinnamaldehyde and wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%
30
In some embodiments, the dishwash composition, comprises an amine oxide, which are
alkyl dimethyl amine oxide and alkyl amido propyl dimethyl amine oxide, more preferably
alkyl dimethyl amine oxide. Especially preferred are lauryl dimethylamine oxide, coco
dimethyl amine oxide and coco amido propyl dimethyl amine oxide.
35 In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention may comprise one
or more anti-redeposition polymers e.g., alkoxylated polyethyleneimines with an average
degree of ethoxylation of 10 to 30. Said anti-redeposition polymer is present alongside
12
0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, and wherein terpineol is
not more than 0.001 wt.%.
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention may comprise an
effective amount of an enzyme, or a cocktail of enzymes, selected 5 from the group of
pectate lyase, protease, amylase, cellulase, lipase, mannanase. The enzymes are
preferably present with corresponding enzyme stabilizers. Said at least one enzyme is
present alongside 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, and
wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
10
Product Form
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention can be in a form
such as a liquid, gel, or a solid composition. The solid composition, for example detergent
compositions can take a variety of forms such as powder, granule, ribbon, noodle, paste,
15 tablet, flake, pastille and bar, and preferably the solid composition is in the form of powder,
granules, tablet or a bar. The solid composition, for example detergent composition may
be in the form of a unit dose formulation or contained on or in a porous substrate or
nonwoven sheet, and other suitable forms. Unit dose composition includes compositions
enclosed within a water-soluble film.
20
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention is a liquid detergent
composition, preferably an aqueous liquid detergent composition. Such compositions
usually contain 20 to 80 wt% water, preferably 30 to 50 wt% alongside 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, and wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001
25 wt.% and comprises at least any one of the additional ingredients described in the
invention. The consumer product that is a liquid may be a dilutable composition or a readyto-
use format or an auto-dose composition. An auto-dose composition is one which is
contained within a cartridge and dispensed from within a washing machine when required.
Where the product is a dilutable it means that the consumer can purchase a concentrated
30 product and take the concentrate home where it can be diluted to form a regular laundry
detergent composition or a dishwash composition. The dilution may require anything from
1 to 25 parts water to one part of the concentrate.
Examples of liquid laundry detergents include heavy-duty liquid laundry detergents for use
35 in the wash cycle of automatic washing machines, as well as liquid fine wash and liquid
colour care detergents such as those suitable for washing delicate garments (e.g. wool)
either by hand or in washing machines.
13
The term “liquid” in the context of this invention denotes that a continuous phase or
predominant part of the composition is liquid and that the composition is fluid at about 15°C
and beyond. Accordingly, the term “liquid” may mean gel or paste, which are more viscous.
The viscosity of liquid compositions is preferably 200 to 10,000 mPa.s. 5 at 25°C at a shear
rate of 21 sec-1, which is usually exerted on the liquid when it is poured from a bottle. The
viscosity of pourable liquid detergent compositions is 100 to 1500 mPa.s, preferably from
200 to 800 mPa.s.
10 In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention comprises a
perfume. The perfume may be of synthetic origin. Alternatively, the perfume ingredients
may be in the encapsulated form and a variety of such forms are available from suppliers
such as Firmenich and IFF. When the consumer product of the invention comprises a
perfume, it is necessary to ensure that the amount of terpineol in it is such that the overall
15 composition as such comprises not more than 0.001 wt% terpineol.
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention additionally
comprises fatty acid. In an embodiment, when the consumer product of the invention is a
liquid laundry composition, it comprises 2 to 20 wt% fatty acid. Suitable fatty acids include
20 aliphatic carboxylic acids of formula RCOOH, where R is alkyl chain containing from 6 to
24 carbon atoms. Preferred examples include saturated C12-C18 fatty acids such as lauric
acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid or stearic acid.
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the invention is a homecare composition
25 or a personal care composition comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.%
of cinnamaldehyde, and wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
When the consumer product of the invention is a homecare composition it preferably is a
liquid detergent, powder detergent, fabric cleaning bar, fabric conditioner, fabric brightener,
30 fabric disinfectant, a dishwash liquid, fruit/vegetable cleaning liquid, floor cleaner, hardsurface
cleaning composition, a rim block composition or a toilet cleaning composition.
Accordingly, in an embodiment, the consumer product is a liquid detergent comprising
0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not
more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is a powder detergent comprising 0.005 to 2
35 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than
0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is a fabric cleaning bar comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001
14
wt.%; the consumer product is a fabric conditioner comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol
and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%;
the consumer product is a fabric brightener comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005
to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer
product is a fabric disinfectant comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 5 0.005 to 2 wt.%
of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product
is a dishwash liquid comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is
fruit cleaning liquid comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
10 cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is
a vegetable cleaning liquid comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is
a floor cleaner comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is
15 a hard surface cleaning composition comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2
wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer
product is a rim block composition comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2
wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; or the consumer
product is toilet cleaning composition comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2
20 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
Many other kinds of homecare compositions are known, and it is possible that the invention
is embodied in any of such forms.
25 In some embodiments, the consumer product of the invention is a personal care
composition it preferably is leave-on or a wash-off composition. Preferably the composition
is a soap bar, liquid bodywash, liquid handwash, hand sanitizer, body lotion, moisturiser,
skin cream, face wash, shampoo, hair conditioner, shaving composition, after shave lotion,
toothpaste or a mouthwash composition.
30
Accordingly, the consumer product is a soap bar comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and
0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the
consumer product is a liquid body wash comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005
to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer
35 product is a liquid hand was comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is
a hand sanitizer comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
15
cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is
a body lotion comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde,
wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is a moisturiser
comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein
terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is 5 a skin cream comprising
0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not
more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is a face wash comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.%
of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001
wt.%; the consumer product is a shampoo comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005
10 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer
product is a hair conditioner comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is
a shaving composition comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is
15 a after shaving lotion comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is
a tooth paste comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde,
wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; or the consumer product is a mouthwash
composition comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde,
20 wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
In some embodiments, the consumer product is a personal cleansing composition, i.e.,
rinse off application composition comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.%
of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%. This product may be
25 delivered in the form of a solid, soft solid, liquid, emulsion, microemulsion, lotion, cream,
gel, or aerosol forms. Most preferred forms are an emulsion (like a lotion or a cream) or as
a gel. The pH of the composition at the lower end is preferably higher than 3.5, more
preferably higher than 4, furthermore preferably more than 4.5. At the upper end the pH is
preferably lower than 11.0, more preferably lower than 10.0 furthermore preferably lower
30 than 9.0, even preferably less than 8.5. Highly preferred pH range is 4 to 8.5, furthermore
preferred range is from 5 to 7.5.
In some embodiments, the consumer product is an oral care composition comprising 0.005
to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more
35 than 0.001 wt.%. The oral care composition includes at least one of cosmetically
acceptable base which may be an abrasive, a thickener, a humectant, an orally acceptable
surfactant. The product may be delivered in the form of an ointment, a gel, a dentifrice or
16
a mouthwash. The oral care composition preferably comprises an abrasive. Gels usually
contain silica, whereas opaque creams generally contain calcium based abrasives,
especially chalk. Preferred toothpaste compositions have 5 to 60 wt% calcium based
abrasive. In an embodiment, the oral care composition comprises a thickener. Typically,
thickening silica, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose or a Carbomer 5 is/are preferred
thickeners for use in the oral care composition. Thickening silica is especially preferred to
be used in gel toothpastes. Gel toothpastes generally contain up to 8.5 wt% thickening
silica whereas opaque toothpastes typically contain 3 to 4 wt% thickening silica. Thickener,
when present, preferably makes up from 0.01 to about 10%, more preferably from 0.1 to
10 9%, and most preferably, from 1.5 to 8% by weight of the composition.
Suitable humectants may be used in the oral care composition of the present invention.
Glycerin, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol or mixtures thereof are the preferred humectants.
The humectant may be present in the range of from 10 to 90% by weight of oral care
15 compositions. More preferably, the humectant makes up from 25 to 80%, and most
preferably, from 45 to 70% by weight of the composition, based on total weight of the
composition, Preferably, an oral care composition comprises a surfactant. The preferred
anionic surfactants are sodium lauryl sulphate and/or sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate.
Most preferably the surfactant is sodium lauryl sulphate. Water may preferably be included
20 in 5 to 95%, preferably 10 to 75%, and especially at from 10 to 60%, further more preferably
10 to 45% by total weight of the composition.
In some embodiments, the consumer product is a hair care composition comprising 0.005
to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more
25 than 0.001 wt.%. One medium through which the hair care composition may be delivered
is a shampoo. The shampoos are formulated with an anionic surfactant e.g. an alkyl
sulphate and/or ethoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactant. These anionic surfactants are
preferably present at a level of from 1 to 20%, preferably 2 to 16%. Preferred alkyl sulfates
are C8-18 alky sulfates, more preferably C12-18 alkyl sulfates, preferably in the form of a
30 salt with a solubilising cation such as sodium, potassium, ammonium or substituted
ammonium. Preferred ethoxylated alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant is sodium lauryl ether
sulfate (SLES). SLES having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 0.5 to 3, preferably
1 to 3 is especially preferred. The hair care composition may additionally comprise an
amphoteric surfactant preferably a betaine surfactant preferably an alkyl amidopropyl
35 betaine surfactant for example cocamidopropyl betaine. In a preferred embodiment, the
hair care composition comprises from 0.1 to 10 wt.%, of a betaine surfactant.
17
In some embodiments, the hair care composition is a hair conditioning composition
comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein
terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%. It usually comprises conditioning surfactants
selected from cationic surfactants, used singly or in admixture. The most 5 preferred cationic
surfactants for use in the composition are stearamidopropyl dimethylamine,
behentrimonium chloride, or stearyl trimethyl ammonium chloride. In the hair conditioning
composition, the level of cationic surfactant will generally range from 0.1 % to 5%,
preferably 0.5 to 2.5% by weight of the composition. Hair conditioning composition may
10 also additionally comprise a fatty alcohol. Representative fatty alcohols comprise from 8
to 22 carbon atoms, more preferably 16 to 22. The level of fatty alcohol in the hair
conditioning composition generally ranges from 0.5 to 10%, weight of the composition.
In some embodiments, the consumer product is a skin care composition comprising 0.005
15 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not more
than 0.001 wt.%. Skin care compositions may be in any form including toners, lotions,
creams, mousse, scrub, serum or gel that is suitable for topical application to the skin. The
skin care composition can be a leave-on product such as skin lotions, creams,
antiperspirants, deodorants, lipsticks, foundations, mascara, sunless tanners and
20 sunscreen lotions. Skin care compositions generally comprise an emollient oil that act as
a co-solvent. Suitable emollient oils include, for example, ester of alkoxylated aromatic
alcohol with fatty carboxylic acid, esters of polyglycols or diols with fatty carboxylic acid
such as caprylic/capric triglyceride, ester of fatty alcohol and fatty acid, alkoxylated
derivative of benzyl alcohol and mixtures thereof. Preferably the emollient oil is
25 caprylic/capric triglyceride. Co-solvent is generally included in an amount from 0.01 to 10%
based on the total weight of the skin care composition. Skin care compositions may
additionally comprise sunscreen agents such as inorganic sunscreens. For example, zinc
oxide, titanium dioxide, iron oxide, silica such as fumed silica. The amount of such
sunscreen agents is preferably incorporated from 0.1 to 5% by total weight of the
30 sunscreen composition. The skin care composition may comprise a UV-A sunscreen agent
selected from the group consisting of a dibenzoylmethane derivative, a triazine derivative,
a benzophenone derivative and mixtures thereof. The skin care composition may also
comprise a UV-B sunscreen agent. Suitable UV-B sunscreen agent of the invention is
selected from the group consisting of a benzophenone, an anthranilate, a salicylate, a
35 cinnamate, a camphor, benzylidene malonate, a triazone, and derivatives thereof.
Additionally, a skin lightening agent may also be incorporated into the skin care
18
composition. Most preferred skin lightening active is a Vitamin B3 compound. Vitamin B3
compound maybe nicacin, nicotinic acid or niacinamide, preferably niacinamide.
A specific class of skin care compositions is what is known as deodorant compositions
which are usually applied to the axilla of an individual to either reduce 5 malodour or to
reduce perspiration. Compositions that reduce perspiration are known as anti-perspirant
compositions. These can be applied cosmetically by one of two methods. In one method,
said skin care composition is wiped across the surface of the skin, depositing a fraction of
the composition as it passes. In this method the product is delivered through a so-called
10 roll-on composition or through a stick or soft solid composition. In the second method, the
composition is sprayed from a dispenser. The dispenser commonly being called an
aerosol.
In some embodiments, the consumer product is a skin cleansing composition comprising
15 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not
more than 0.001 wt.%. When the period of time of application is of a few seconds to a few
minutes after which the composition is rinsed off with water or wiped away, the composition
is known as a skin cleansing composition or a wash-off composition. Such a composition
includes any product applied to human body for also improving appearance, cleansing,
20 odour control or general aesthetics. The composition for skin cleansing of the present
invention can be in the form of a liquid, lotion, cream, foam, scrub, gel, bar, handwash,
facewash or a bodywash product. The composition of the invention may be used for skin
cleansing e.g., as a hand wash product. The composition may further comprise a
surfactant. When surfactant is used, a particularly preferred surfactant is soap. Soap is a
25 suitable surfactant for personal washing applications of the antimicrobial composition of
the invention. The soap is preferably C8-C24 soap, more preferably C10-C20 soap and
most preferably C12-C18 soap. The cation of the soap can be alkali metal, alkaline earth
metal or ammonium. Preferably, the cation of the soap is selected from sodium, potassium
or ammonium. More preferably the cation of the soap is sodium or potassium.
30
The soap in the skin cleaning composition is present in an amount of 1 to 90%, preferably
from 10 to 85%, more preferably 25 to 75% by weight of the composition. Other preferred
surfactants are nonionic surfactants, such as C8-C22, preferably C12 to C18 fatty alcohol
ethoxylates, comprising between 1 and 8 ethylene oxide groups when the product is in the
35 liquid form. The surfactants are preferably selected from primary alkyl sulphate, secondary
alkyl sulphonates, alkyl benzene sulphonates, or ethoxylated alkyl sulphates. The
composition may further comprise an anionic surfactant, such as alkyl ether sulphate
19
preferably those having between 1 and 3 ethylene oxide groups, either from natural or
synthetic source and/or sulphonic acid. Especially preferred are sodium lauryl ether
sulphates. Alkyl polyglucoside may also be present in the composition, preferably those
having a carbon chain length between C6 and C16.
5
In some embodiments, the consumer product is a mouthwash composition comprising
0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not
more than 0.001 wt.% . The mouthwash composition additionally comprises 0.1 to 5 wt%
anionic surfactant. It is preferred that the anionic surfactant is sodium lauryl sulphate.
10 Further, preferably the mouthwash composition is alcohol-free. It is further preferred that
the mouthwash composition comprises cetyl pyridinium chloride.
In some embodiments, the consumer product is wipes for personal hygiene comprising
0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein terpineol is not
15 more than 0.001 wt.%. The wipes may include 0.01 to 5% of the preservative system by
weight of the composition and at least one of the additional ingredients described in the
present invention.
In some embodiments, the personal care compositions may also comprise other
20 ingredients which are common in the art to enhance physical properties and performance.
Suitable ingredients include but are not limited to humectants, thickeners, opacifiers,
binders, colorants and pigments, pH adjusting agents, optics, perfumes, viscosity
modifiers, biological additives, buffering agents, conditioners, natural extracts, essential
oils and skin benefit agents including anti-inflammatory agents, cooling agents,
25 antiperspirant agents, anti-aging agents, anti- acne agents, anti-microbial agents and
antioxidants. Preferred compositions may include ingredients such as perfumes, pigments,
emollients, sunscreens, emulsifiers, gelling agents, carrier and thickening agents. Choice
of these ingredients will largely depend on the format of the composition.
30 In some embodiments, the consumer product of the invention is especially suitable for use
in a wash off process where the contact time of the antimicrobial actives with the surface
is low, i.e., of the order of less than 5 minutes, preferably less than 2 minutes, furthermore
preferably less than a minute and in many cases less than 15 seconds.
35 The consumer product of the present invention may comprise additional ingredients
alongside 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde, wherein
terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%. The additional ingredients are employed depending
20
on the nature of the product and its use. The additional ingredients that may be employed
in the consumer product are provided below.
Surfactant:
The antimicrobial composition preferably comprises 1 to 80% surfactant. 5 In general, the
surfactants may be chosen from the surfactants described in well known textbooks like
"Surface Active Agents" Vol. 1, by Schwartz & Perry, Interscience 1949, Vol. 2 by
Schwartz, Perry & Berch, Interscience 1958, and/or the current edition of "McCutcheon ' s
Emulsifiers and Detergents" published by Manufacturing Confectioners Company or in
10 "Tenside-Taschenbuch", H. Stache, 2nd Edn., Carl Hauser Verlag, 1981. Any type of
surfactant, i.e., anionic, cationic, nonionic, zwitterionic or amphoteric can be used.
A particularly preferred surfactant is soap. Soap is a suitable surfactant for personal
washing applications of the antimicrobial composition of the invention. The soap is
15 preferably C8 to C24 soap, more preferably C10 to C20 soap and most preferably C12 to
C16 soap. The soap may or may not have one or more carbon-carbon double bond or
triple bond. The cation of the soap may be alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or ammonium.
Preferably, the cation of the soap is selected from sodium, potassium or ammonium. More
preferably the cation of the soap is sodium or potassium. The soap may be obtained by
20 saponifying a fat and/or a fatty acid. The fats or oils generally used in soap manufacture
may be such as tallow, tallow stearines, palm oil, palm stearines, soya bean oil, fish oil,
castor oil, rice bran oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, babassu oil, palm kernel oil, and others.
In the above process the fatty acids are derived from oils/fats selected from coconut, rice
bran, groundnut, tallow, palm, palm kernel, cotton seed, soyabean, castor etc. The fatty
25 acid soaps can also be synthetically prepared (e.g., by the oxidation of petroleum or by the
hydrogenation of carbon monoxide by the Fischer-Tropsch process). Resin acids, such as
those present in tall oil, may be used. Naphthenic acids are also suitable.
Tallow fatty acids can be derived from various animal sources and generally comprise
30 about 1 to8% myristic acid, about 21 to 32% palmitic acid, about 14 to 31% stearic acid,
about 0 to 4% palmitoleic acid, about 36 to 50% oleic acid and about 0 to 5% linoleic acid.
A typical distribution is about 2.5% myristic acid, about 29% palmitic acid, about 23%
stearic acid, about 2% palmitoleic acid, about 41.5% oleic acid, and about 3% linoleic acid.
Other similar mixtures, such as those from palm oil and those derived from various animal
35 tallow and lard are also included.
21
A typical fatty acid blend consisted of 5 to 30% coconut fatty acids and 70 to 95% fatty
acids ex hardened rice bran oil.
Fatty acids derived from other suitable oils/fats such as groundnut, soybean, 5 tallow, palm,
palm kernel, etc. may also be used in other desired proportions. The most preferred soap
is a laurate soap. The soap, when present in solid forms of the present invention is present
in an amount of 30 to 90%, preferably from 50 to 85%, more preferably 55 to 75% by
weight of the composition. The soap, when present in liquid forms of the composition is
10 present in 0.5 to 20%, preferably from 1 to 10% by weight of the composition.
The consumer product of the invention is useful in hard surface cleaning applications. In
such applications preferred surfactants are non-ionic surfactants, such as C8 to C22,
preferably C8 to C16 fatty alcohol ethoxylates, comprising between 1 and 8 ethylene oxide
groups when the product is in the liquid form. When the product is in the solid form for hard
15 surface cleaning applications surfactants are preferably selected from primary alkyl
sulphate, secondary alkyl sulphonates, alkyl benzene sulphonates, or ethoxylated alkyl
sulphates. The composition may further comprise an anionic surfactant, such as alkyl ether
sulphate preferably those having between 1 and 3 ethylene oxide groups, either from
natural or synthetic source and/or sulphonic acid. Especially preferred are sodium lauryl
20 ether sulphates. Alkyl polyglucoside may also be present in the composition, preferably
those having a carbon chain length between C6 and C16. Suitable surfactant
concentrations in liquid forms of hard surface cleaning application are generally more than
0.5 but less than 10%, preferably from 1 to 5 % by weight of the composition. In solid
compositions, the surfactant is preferably present in 5 to 40%, preferably from 10 to 30%
25 by weight of the composition.
Suitable non-soap anionic surfactants include linear alkylbenzene sulphonate, primary and
secondary alkyl sulphates, particularly C16 to C18 primary alkyl sulphates; alkyl ether
sulphates; olefin sulphonates; alkyl xylene sulphonates; dialkyl sulphosuccinates; fatty
30 acid ester sulphonates; or a mixture thereof. Sodium salts are generally preferred.
When the consumer product is an oral care compositions e.g., in a dentifrice/ toothpaste
or oral rinse product. In such applications, preferred surfactants are anionic, non-ionic or
amphoteric in nature, preferably anionic or amphoteric. The Anionic surfactant is preferably
35 an alkali metal alkyl sulphate, more preferably a sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). Mixtures of
anionic surfactants may also be employed. The amphoteric surfactant is preferably a
betaine, more preferably an alkylamidopropyl betaine (wherein the alkyl group is a linear
22
C10-C18 chain), and most preferably is cocoamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). Mixtures of
amphoteric surfactants may also be employed. Suitable surfactant concentrations in oral
care application are generally from about 2% to about 15%, preferably from about 2.2% to
about 10%, more preferably from about 2.5 to about 5% by weight of the total composition.
5
Thus, in a highly preferred aspect, the consumer product may include soap, alkyl sulphate
or linear alkyl benzene sulphonate as the surfactants.
Skin benefit agents:
10 The consumer product may include water-soluble skin benefit agents. A variety of watersoluble
skin benefit agents can be used and the level can be from 0.1 to 50% but preferably
from 1 to 30% by weight of the composition. These agents include, but are not limited to,
polyhydroxy alcohols. Preferred water-soluble skin benefit agents are glycerin, sorbitol and
polyethylene glycol.
15
Water-insoluble skin benefit agents may also be formulated into the consumer product as
conditioners and moisturizers. Examples include silicone oils; hydrocarbons such as liquid
paraffins, petrolatum, microcrystalline wax, and mineral oil; and vegetable triglycerides
such as sunflower seed and cottonseed oils.
20
Thickeners:
The consumer product may include thickeners. These may be selected from cellulosics,
natural gums and acrylic polymers but not limited by this thickening agent types. Among
the cellulosics are sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl
25 methylcellulose and combinations thereof. Suitable gums include xanthan, pectin, karaya,
agar, alginate gums and combinations thereof. Among the acrylic thickeners are
homopolymers and copolymers of acrylic and methacrylic acids including carbomers such
as Carbopol® 1382. Amounts of thickener may range from 0.01 to 3% by weight of the
active polymer (outside of solvent or water) in the compositions.
30
Sequestering agents:
The consumer product may include 0.5 to 10% by weight of sequestering agents, such as
tetra sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), EHDP or mixtures; opacifiers and
pearlizers such as ethylene glycol distearate, titanium dioxide or Lytron 621
35 (Styrene/Acrylate copolymer); all of which are useful in enhancing the appearance or
properties of the product.
23
Antimicrobial agents:
A variety of other optional materials may be formulated into the consumer product. These
may include: antimicrobials such as 2-hydroxy-4,2’,4’-trichlorodiphenylether (triclosan),
2,6- dimethyl-4-hydroxychlorobenzene, and 3,4,4’-trichlorocarbanilide; scrub and
exfoliating particles such as polyethylene and silica or alumina; cooling 5 agents such as
menthol; skin calming agents such as aloe vera; and colorants.
In some embodiments the antimicrobial is selected from a group comprising
cetylpyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, cetyltrimethyl ammonium chloride and
10 cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, or any combination thereof.
Preservatives can desirably be incorporated into the compositions of this invention.
Packaging
15 The consumer product of the invention may be packaged in a variety of packaging formats
which depends on nature and purpose of the product.
For example, when the consumer product is a laundry detergent powder it preferably is
packaged in a form-fill-seal pack such as pouches and sachets as well as stand-up
20 pouches that are made of laminated plastic material, which preferably is composed of
recyclable or recycled material. Such pouches and sachets may also be further packaged
in cartons for ease of transportation and to protect the pouches from damage. Sachets
may be designed in such a way as to provide a unit dose, i.e., about 10 grams of the
powder per pack such that the contents are for one-time use.
25
When the consumer product is a paste, it preferably is packaged in collapsible tubes or
squeezable bottles made of plastic.
The consumer product, such as liquid detergent compositions are usually packaged in
30 bottles made of rigid plastic. The bottle containing the liquid can be of different sizes and
shapes to accommodate different volumes of the liquid; preferably between 500 ml and 2
L. The bottle is preferably provided with a dispenser or a pour spout, which enables the
consumer an easier mode of dispersion of the liquid. Spray or pump-dispensers may also
be used, and a measuring cup may also be provided separately or built-in the cap of the
35 bottle. Keeping in mind the current trends, the bottles may be made entirely or partly by
using recycled plastic or at least recyclable material.
24
Liquid detergent compositions are also packaged in pouches, usually in large size, which
serve as refill pouches for pouring or emptying into the bottles.
Other less common formats include laundry tablets and unit dose capsules which are
packaged in numbers such as by the dozen and may be coloured to 5 co-ordinate with
colours of the packaging. Unit doses may be packaged in plastic boxes. Each capsule may
comprise two sheets of water-soluble film, sealed together and extending around the
periphery of the capsule enclosing a cavity filled with the liquid detergent.
10 Liquid hand dishwash compositions are packaged in plastic bottles having a cap with a
dispensing spout or orifice. Liquid dishwash compositions may also be packaged in
pouches to serve as refill containers.
Laundry and dishwash bar compositions are generally enveloped wrapped in a plastic film.
15
The present invention further relates to a process of preparing the consumer product
described above.
In some embodiments, the process of preparing the consumer produced comprises20
combining about 0.005 to 2 wt.% of the thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of the cinnamaldehyde,
optionally along with a component selected from a group comprising surfactant, enzyme,
thickening agent, carrier, antimicrobial compound, preservative, sequestering agent,
humectant, moisturizing agent, emulsifier, gelling agent, pigment, emollients, sunscreen
and any combinations thereof, to obtain the consumer product, wherein the terpineol is not
25 more than 0.001 wt.%.
The present disclosure further relates to a method of reducing or inhibiting microbial
growth.
30 In some embodiments, the method of reducing or inhibiting microbial growth comprising
contacting animate and/or inanimate surfaces with the consumer product for a duration of
at least 30 seconds, thereby inhibiting the microbial growth on the animate or the inanimate
surfaces.
35 In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention provides for at least
99% inhibition of the microbes.
25
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention provides for at least
99.99% inhibition of the microbes. Thus, the consumer product and the corresponding
compositions/formulations of the present invention are fast acting, as they require lesser
time to act against the microorganisms present. The combination of thymol and
cinnamaldehyde in the consumer product exhibits synergistic effect even 5 at relatively lower
concentrations.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and
especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally
10 intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but
not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term
"includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further
understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation
is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such
15 recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following
appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one
or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be
construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or
"an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions
20 containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory
phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a"
and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the
same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In
addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited,
25 those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to
mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other
modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B,
and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having
30 skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A,
B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone,
A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).
In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is
used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art
35 would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would
include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together,
A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further
26
understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase
presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings,
should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either
of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include
the possibilities of "A" or 5 "B" or "A and B."
EXAMPLES
The invention will now be explained in detail with reference to the following non-limiting
exemplary embodiments. All chemicals are from synthetic origin procured from commercial
10 sources. The invention and any example is not based on any bioresource obtained from
India.
Example 1: Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)
The MIC of Thymol and cinnamaldehyde was determined against E. coli 10536. The
15 observations are summarised in Table 1 in which NG means no growth and G means
growth.
Table 1
Code
Final concentration w/v
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 MIC 2.0 1.0 0.5 0.25 0.125 0.0625 0.0313 0.0156 0.0078 0.0039
A NG NG NG NG NG NG NG G G G 0.0313 B NG NG NG NG NG NG NG G G G
C NG NG NG NG NG NG G G G G 0.0625 D NG NG NG NG NG NG G G G G
20
Example 2: MIC of Thymol and Cinnamaldehyde
Antimicrobial activity of Thymol against E.coli was determined by ASTM 2783 at contact
time of 30 seconds, at MIC concentration (as recited above), and at 0.05% and 0.1%. At
0.03%, thymol led to <0.5 log reduction, at 0.05% it was ~1.9 log reduction which increased
25 to >5 log at 0.1%. At 0.05% cinnamaldehyde led to ~1 log reduction which increased to
1.3 log at 0.1%.
Example 3: Demonstration of synergistic effect
Thymol was taken at 0.01% w/v and 0.3% w/v and cinnamaldehyde at 0.02% w/v to about
30 0.5% w/v. The two ingredients were mixed to form a simple aqueous composition. The
balance was water adjusted to 100 wt%.
27
Example 4: Demonstration of synergistic effect
A composition was prepared in a manner like Example 3 but containing 0.03% w/v thymol
and 0.05% w/v cinnamaldehyde.
The data is shown in Table 2, which 5 LR=log reduction.
Table 2
Ingredient Concentration w/v Log reduction at 30 seconds
Thymol (Ty) 0.03 0.44
Cinnamaldehyde (Ca) 0.1 1.21
Ty + Ca (Composition) 0.03 + 0.1 4.3
The data indicates that while 0.03% thymol led to 0.43 log reduction and cinnamaldehyde
10 showed 1-log reduction, their combination led to 4.3 log reduction, clearly demonstrating
synergistic effect, since an admixture would have exhibited only 1.6 log reduction (additive
effect of thymol and cinnamaldehyde). Therefore, the composition of the present invention
shows surprising enhancement in antimicrobial effect. The data in Table 2 also indicates
that the composition acts effectively within 30 seconds, i.e., is a fast-acting composition.
15
Example 5
Table 3 shows a model mouthwash (personal care) composition as a non-limiting
embodiment of the invention.
20 Table 3
Ingredient wt%
Sodium lauryl sulphate 0.1 to 5
Cetyl pyridinium chloride 0.02 to 0.07
Poloxamer 407 0.01 to 0.1
Polyethylene glycol 400 1 to 10
Thymol 0.01 to 0.3
Cinnamaldehyde 0.02 to 0.5
Flavouring agent 0.01 to 1
Water To 100 wt%
Water activity >0.95
Table 4 shows a model bodywash (personal care) composition as a non-limiting
embodiment of the invention.
25 Table 4
Ingredient wt%
SLES 5 to 20
CAPB 2 to 8
28
NaCl 0.5 to 3
Glycerin 3 to 10
Thymol 0.01 to 0.3
Cinnamaldehyde 0.02 to 0.5
Fragrance 0.1
Water 60 to 90
Water activity >0.95
Example 6
In this example, thymol was combined with other known antimicrobial agents with the
reasonable expectation that at least some combinations would provide 5 synergistic effect
as with cinnamaldehyde. However, unexpectedly, none of the pairs showed a synergistic
effect, thereby further strengthening the hypothesis that only a selected combination of
thymol and cinnamaldehyde is synergistic.
10 Details of the comparative examples is shown in Table 5.
Table 5
Ingredient Log reduction at 30 seconds
0.03% Thymol 0.50
0.1% Nerol 0.57
0.03% Thymol + 0.1% Nerol 0.67
0.1% Isopulegol 0.46
0.03% Thymol + 0.1% Isopulegol 0.73
0.1% Limonene 0.52
0.03% Thymol + 0.1% Limonene 0.69
0.1% Eucalyptol 0.52
0.03% Thymol + 0.1% Eucalyptol 0.60
0.1% Guaiacol 0.47
0.03% Thymol + 0.1% Guaiacol 0.72
0.1% Anethol 0.55
0.03% Thymol + 0.1% Anethol 0.59
The illustrated examples indicate that the present inventors have provided technical
15 advancement in the field of antimicrobial consumer products in the form of home and
personal care compositions at least as efficacious as those which contain terpineol, but
without the associated odour profile. The present inventors have thereby provided
consumer products that can be freely formulated with a range of perfume or fragrance
ingredients that would otherwise be at least olfactorily incompatible with terpineol.

I/WE CLAIM

1) A consumer product comprising:
a) 0.005 to 2 wt% thymol; and
b) 0.005 to 2 5 wt% cinnamaldehyde,
wherein said product comprises not more than 0.001 wt% terpineol.

2) The consumer product as claimed in claim 1, wherein said product comprises 0.01 to 1 wt% thymol.

3) The consumer product as claimed in claim 1, wherein said product comprises 0.01 to 1 wt% cinnamaldehyde.

4) The consumer product as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said product comprises 1 to 20 wt% water.

5) The consumer product as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said product comprises 20 to 99 wt% water.

6) The consumer product as claimed in claim 5, wherein water activity of said product is greater than 0.9.

7) The consumer product as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the product comprises at least one fragrance ingredient other than said thymol and cinnamaldehyde.

8) The consumer product as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the product comprises component selected from a group comprising surfactant, enzyme, thickening agent, carrier, antimicrobial compound, preservative, sequestering agent, humectant, moisturizing agent, emulsifier, gelling agent, pigment, emollients, sunscreen and any combinations thereof.

9) The consumer product as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein pH of said product at 25°C is 4 to 11.

10) The consumer product as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein said consumer product is a homecare composition or a personal care composition.

11) The consumer product as claimed in claim 10, wherein said homecare composition is a liquid detergent, powder detergent, fabric cleaning bar, fabric conditioner, fabric brightener, fabric disinfectant, a dishwash liquid, a fruit or vegetable cleaning liquid, floor cleaner, hard-surface cleaning composition, a rim block composition or a toilet cleaning composition.

12) The consumer product as claimed in claim 10, wherein said personal care composition is a soap bar, liquid bodywash, liquid handwash, hand sanitizer, body lotion, moisturiser, skin cream, face wash, shampoo, hair conditioner, shaving composition, after shave lotion, toothpaste or a mouthwash composition.

13) The consumer product as claimed in claim 12, wherein said personal care composition is a mouthwash.

14) The consumer product as claimed in claim 13, wherein said mouthwash is alcoholfree.

15) The consumer product as claimed in claim 14, wherein said mouthwash comprises cetyl pyridinium chloride.

16) The consumer product as claimed in claim 14, wherein the mouthwash comprises sodium lauryl sulphate, cetyl pyridinium chloride, poloxamer 407, Polyethylene glycol 400, thymol, cinnamaldehyde, flavouring agent and water.

17) The consumer product as claimed in claim 12, wherein the personal care composition is bodywash comprising sodium lauryl sulphate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium chloride, glycerin, thymol, cinnamaldehyde, fragrance and water.

18) A process of preparing the consumer product as claimed in claim 1, said process comprises- combining about 0.005 to 2 wt.% of the thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of the cinnamaldehyde, optionally along with a component selected from a group comprising surfactant, enzyme, thickening agent, carrier, antimicrobial compound, preservative, sequestering agent, humectant, moisturizing agent, emulsifier, gelling agent, pigment, emollients, sunscreen and any combinations thereof, to obtain the
consumer product.

19) A method of inhibiting microbial growth, said method comprises- contacting animate and/or inanimate surfaces with the consumer product as claimed in claim 1 for a duration of at least 30 seconds, thereby inhibiting the microbial growth on the
animate or the inanimate surfaces.

Dated this 28th day of August, 2024