1
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 product 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 compositions provide a certain minimum
10 log reduction within short contact-time, generally within 60-seconds of application.
FR2829930 A1 (GATTEFOSSE HOLDING) discloses a cosmetic composition comprising 9 to 15
wt% carvacrol, 3 to 10 wt% thymol and 10 to18 wt% eugenol, included in the form of 10 to 30
wt% each of oregano and clove essential oils and 5 to 25 wt% of thyme essential oil.
15
US2005/0106191 A1 (Kobayashi) discloses antiseptic disinfectant, cosmetics and toiletries
containing 1,2-alkanediol with 5 to 10 carbon atoms, and a material selected from thymol,
eugenol, citronellal, terpinyl acetate, citronellol or β-pinene. The application is based on the
observation that the combination enhances the antibacterial activity of the 1,2-alkanediol against
20 bacterial strains.
WO2020/134936 A1 (ZHUHAI NATURE JOURNEY BIOTECHNOLOGY) discloses use of 0.04
to 0.08 wt% food-grade plant-derived composite bacteriostat in cosmetics. The bacteriostat
comprises cinnamyl aldehyde, eugenol, and trans-methoxy cinnamaldehyde. Compared to
25 synthetic preservatives, the composite bacteriostat is safer.
WO2010046238 A1 (Unilever) discloses cleansing and personal care compositions comprising
thymol and terpineol in selective proportions for faster- acting antimicrobial action.
30 WO2011036048 A1 (Unilever) discloses a method of disinfection using a fast-action antimicrobial
composition comprising eugenol in combination with thymol and terpineol.
EP2 648 678 B1 (Unilever, 2017) discloses a transparent/translucent liquid antimicrobial
mouthwash composition in micro emulsion format substantially free of C1 to C3 alcohol
35 comprising: (i) 0.05% to 10 % of an antimicrobial active selected from terpineol, thymol, eugenol,
borneol, or limonene; (ii) 0.05 to 10% of a surfactant; (iii) 0.01 to 50% of a di-or multivalent
electrolyte selected from calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, zinc sulphate or zinc acetate;
and (iv) 50 to 99.9% water; wherein the surfactant is anionicic or cationic.
3
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 terpineol might seem
overpowering and tending to mask other fragrance ingredients. The 5 aroma tends to be
pronounced at lower and higher pH, e.g., at pH from 4 to 6 and from 8 to 11.
However, exclusion of terpineol could adversely affect antimicrobial efficacy of the compositions,
especially the activity within, for example, less than a minute of application.
10
Despite the limitations associated with terpineol, available consumer 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
15 while finding an efficacious alternative for terpineol, it is necessary to ensure that antimicrobial
efficacy is not compromised.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a consumer product comprising:
20 a) 0.005 to 2 wt% thymol; and
b) 0.005 to 2 wt% eugenol,
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 eugenol,
25 without the inclusion of terpineol, provides significant log-reduction 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.
30
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.
35 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 thereby provided consumer products
4
that can be freely formulated with a range of perfume or fragrance ingredients that would
otherwise be at least olfactorily incompatible with terpineol.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
These and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent to those 5 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 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
10 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 percentages unless otherwise indicated. Numerical ranges
expressed in the format “from x to y” are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature
multiple preferred ranges are described in the format “from x to y”, it is understood that all ranges
15 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.
Throughout the present disclosure, the term ‘antimicrobial’ is intended to convey the ordinary
conventional meaning of the term readily understood by persons skilled in the art and intends to
20 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 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
25 completely kills the microorganisms that contact with the composition.
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
30 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. The present disclosure aims to
cover composition that exhibit one or both characteristics. Similarly, as used herein, the term
‘antiviral’ is intended to convey the ordinary conventional meaning of the term readily understood
by a person skilled in the art and intends to cover the ability of the composition of the present
35 disclosure to kill a virus or suppress its ability to replicate and, hence, inhibit its capability to
multiply and reproduce. Likewise, as used herein, the term ‘antifungal’ is intended to convey the
ordinary conventional meaning of the term readily understood by a person skilled in the art and
5
intends to cover the ability of the composition of the present invention to limit or prevent the growth
of yeasts and other fungal organisms.
The term consumer product means fast-moving consumer goods typically further classified into
cosmetics, homecare compositions and personal care compositions. 5 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), 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
10 a store or supermarket because consumers use them on a regular 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
15 microorganisms. By “2 log” reduction it is meant that the number of viable bacteria or other
microorganisms is reduced by 99%. By “4 log” reduction it is meant that the number of viable
bacteria or other microorganisms is reduced by 99.99%.
"Home and Personal care (HPC) products" means all products, goods and services relating to
20 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 for the treatment, cleaning, caring
25 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.
Home care composition means a composition suitable for upkeep of home and surroundings
30 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 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
35 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 institutional use.
6
"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 shall also
include, but not be limited to, any packaging, tools or devices for use with the same.
5
"Laundry Care product" means all products for treatment, cleaning, caring or conditioning of
clothes.
"Personal Care product" means all products fortreatment, cleansing and/or care of skin, hair, nails
10 and oral care.
"Oral care product" means products intended to provide benefits for oral care such as oral
hygiene, teeth and gum care.
15 "Deodorant and Antiperspirant Product" means products that are intended to prevent or modify
body odor or perspiration.
The present invention relates to an aqueous consumer product comprising:
a) 0.005 to 2 wt% thymol; and
20 b) 0.005 to 2 wt% eugenol,
wherein said product comprises not more than 0.001 wt% terpeniol.
Consumer products having antimicrobial activity are relevant for personal use, such as in the form
of a cream or lotion. In addition, such products are equally relevant for inanimate surfaces such
25 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 composition, may serve as a useful
supplementary or secondary composition to be used in conjunction with traditional surface
30 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 want to take care of their
body to keep it hygienic. The hygiene of skin, which includes scalp and hair, is generally managed
35 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, is either killed or deactivated to control the spread of diseases
7
due to contact and proliferation of microbes. Another approach is to improve or enhance the
innate immunity of the skin by the application of the composition of the invention in the form of a
personal care composition.
5 Thymol
Preferably the thymol is in purified form. Thymol is present in a desired concentration in the
consumer product. The consumer product of the invention comprises thymol in an amount
ranging from 0.005 to 2 wt.%, preferably 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.
10 The thymol is obtained from synthetic origin.
Contrary to expectations of the inventors, neither of Nerol, Isopulegol, Limonene, Eucalyptol,
Guaiacol and Anethol provided any synergistic antimicrobial effect when combined with Thymol
but based on published literature disclosing the antimicrobial activity of the named ingredients,
15 such an interaction and effects are expected.
Antimicrobial activity means that the composition can kill or at least cause substantial reduction
of the common disease-causing microbes. The common disease-causing gram-positive
organisms includes Streptococcus and Enterococcus spp. Some of common disease-causing
20 gram-negative organisms includes Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Klebsiella and Shigella.
Eugenol
The consumer product of the invention comprises 0.005 to 2 wt.% eugenol, 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
25 so forth, up until 2 wt.%. Preferably the consumer product comprises 0.01 to 1 wt% eugenol. The
eugenol is obtained from synthetic origin.
In some embodiments, the consumer product comprises 0.005 to 2 w.t% of thymol and 0.005 to
2 wt.% of eugenol, wherein terpinol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
30
In some embodiments, the consumer product comprises 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.001 to
1 wt.% of eugenol, wherein terpinol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
The consumer product of the invention comprises not more than 0.001 wt% terpineol. More
35 preferably the composition 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
presence in fragrance ingredients. It may not be technically possible to formulate compositions
8
that are entirely free or devoid of terpineol. The 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 thymol,
0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol and 1 to 99% wt.% of water and terpineol is not more 5 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% water. Such
compositions include soap bars, fabric cleaning bars and laundry detergent powder.
10
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 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
15 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.
Accordingly, in some embodiments, the consumer product comprises 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol,
0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol and 1 to 99% wt.% of water and wherein terpineol is not more than
20 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.%.
In some embodiments, the consumer product comprises 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2
wt.% of eugenol and 1 to 20% wt.% of water, and wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
25 Such a consumer product is selected from a group comprising soap bars, fabric cleaning bars
and laundry detergent powder.
In some embodiments, the consumer product comprises 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2
wt.% of eugenol and 30 to 50% wt.% of water, and wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
30 Such a consumer product is skin cream
In some embodiments, the consumer product comprises 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2
wt.% of eugenol 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.
35
In some embodiments, the consumer product comprises 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2
wt.% of eugenol and 90 to 99% wt.% of water, and wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
Such a consumer product is micellar water.
9
In an embodiment, the combination of thymol and the eugenol present in the consumer product
being primarily hydrophobic interact with the lipids present in the cell membrane of
microorganism, thereby result in metabolic damages and cell death. Thus, the consumer product
of the present invention exhibits significant antimicrobial activity.
5
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention comprises fragrance
ingredient. In an embodiment, the the fragrance ingredient employed in the consumer product of
the invention are commercially available from a range of suppliers including global suppliers like
Firmenich, Givaudan and IFF. The purpose of such fragrance ingredient is to provide a consumer10
desired odour profile to the composition 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 the skills necessary to formulate a variety of products
containing a wide array of fragrance ingredients.
15 In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention comprises 0.005 to 2 wt.%
of thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, 1 to 99% wt.% of water and fragrance ingredient, and
wherein the terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
In some embodiment, the consumer product of the present invention has pH ranging from 4 to
20 11 at 25°C. In an embodiment, pH of the consumer product is about 4, about 4.5, about 5, about
5.5, about 6, about 6.5, about 7, about 7.5, about 8, about 8.5, about 9, about 9.5 about 10, about
10.5 or about 11.
Accordingly, the consumer product of the present invention comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol,
25 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, 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 comprises additional
ingredients alongside 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, and wherein the
30 terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%. The presence of additional ingredients depend on nature
and purpose of the consumer product.
For example, if the consumer product is a homecare composition, such as a laundry detergent
liquid it will comprise water, a combination of surfactants, enzymes, hydrotropes and shading
35 dyes. On the other hand, if the consumer product is a 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 eugenol. In addition, the choice of additional ingredients and their wt%
would vary considerably depending on the nature and purpose of the consumer product. For
10
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, thickener, perfume and preservatives, alongside 0.005 to 2 wt.% of 5 thymol, 0.005 to 2
wt.% of eugenol, 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 eugenol, and wherein terpineol is not
more than 0.001 wt.%, and a reconstitute bodywash or handwash powder composition has non10
soap surfactants, polymers, thickener, perfume, and preservatives alongside 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, and wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention comprises non-soap
anionic surfactants alongside 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, and wherein
15 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 sulphonates,
alpha-olefin sulphonates and mixtures thereof. The alkyl ether sulphates may contain from one
20 to ten ethylene oxide or propylene oxide units per molecule, and preferably contain one to three
ethylene oxide units per molecule. The counterion for 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.
25
Some alkyl sulphate surfactant (PAS) may be used, such as non-ethoxylated primary and
secondary alkyl sulphates with 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.
30 The consumer product of the present invention may comprise non-ionic surfactant in an amount
ranging from 0.1 to 20 wt%, alongside 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, 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
35 or branched alcohol ethoxylates with an average of from 2 to 40 moles of ethylene oxide per mole
of alcohol.
11
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.
When the consumer product of the invention is a dishwash composition, the dishwash
composition additionally comprises a betaine including alkyl betaine, alkyl 5 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, capryl/capramidopropyl betaine,
cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, cocobutyramido hydroxysultaine, and preferably lauryl betaine,
10 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 eugenol and wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%
In some embodiments, the dishwash composition comprises an amine oxide, which are alkyl
15 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.
In some embodiments, the consumer product may preferably comprise a sequestrant such as
20 alkali metal citrates, succinates, malonates and carboxymethyl succinates. Specific examples
include DEQUEST®.
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
25 ethoxylation of 10 to 30. Said anti-redeposition polymer is present alongside 0.005 to 2 wt.% of
thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, and wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the invention may comprise 0.01 to 5 wt% soil
release polymer. SRP may be selected from copolyesters of dicarboxylic acids (for example
30 adipic acid, phthalic acid or terephthalic acid), diols (for example ethylene glycol or propylene
glycol) and polydiols (for example polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol). The co-polyester
may also include monomeric units substituted with anionic groups, such as for example
sulfonated isophthaloyl units. Examples of such materials include oligomeric esters produced by
transesterification/oligomerization of poly(ethyleneglycol) methyl ether, dimethyl terephthalate
35 (“DMT”), propylene glycol (“PG”) and poly(ethyleneglycol) (“PEG”); partly- and fully-anionic-endcapped
oligomeric esters such as oligomers from ethylene glycol (“EG”), PG, DMT and Na-3,6-
dioxa-8-hydroxyoctanesulfonate; non-ionic-capped block polyester oligomeric compounds such
as those produced from DMT, Me-capped PEG and EG and/or PG, or a combination of DMT, EG
12
and/or PG, Me-capped PEG and Na- dimethyl-5-sulfoisophthalate, and copolymeric blocks of
ethylene terephthalate or propylene terephthalate with polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide
terephthalate.
Other types of SRP include cellulosic derivatives such as hydroxyether cellulosic 5 polymers, C1-
C4 alkylcelluloses and C4 hydroxyalkyl celluloses; polymers with poly(vinyl ester) hydrophobic
segments such as graft copolymers of poly(vinyl ester), for example C1-C4 vinyl esters (such as
poly(vinyl acetate)) grafted onto polyalkylene oxide backbones; poly(vinyl caprolactam) and
related co-polymers with monomers such as vinyl pyrrolidone and/or dimethylaminoethyl
10 methacrylate; and polyester-polyamide polymers prepared by condensing adipic acid,
caprolactam, and polyethylene glycol.
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention may comprise an effective
amount of an enzyme, or a cocktail of enzymes, selected from the group of pectate lyase,
15 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 eugenol, and wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
Product Form
20 In some embodiment, 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, 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
25 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.
In some embodiment, the consumer product of the present invention is a liquid detergent
composition, preferably an aqueous liquid detergent composition. Such compositions usually
30 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 eugenol, and wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.% and comprises at least
any one of the additional ingredient described in the invention. The consumer product that is a
liquid may be a dilutable composition or a ready-to-use format or an auto-dose composition. An
auto-dose composition is one which is contained within a cartridge and dispensed from within a
35 washing machine when required. Where the product is a dilutable composition it means that the
consumer can purchase a concentrated 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.
13
Examples of liquid laundry detergents include heavy-duty liquid laundry detergents for use 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.
5
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. at 25°C at a shear rate of 21 sec-1, which
10 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. In some
embodiment, the consumer product according to the invention may suitably have an aqueous
continuous phase. By “aqueous continuous phase” is meant a continuous phase of water.
15 In some embodiment, 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 composition as such comprises
20 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 aliphatic carboxylic
25 acids of formula RCOOH, where R is alkyl chain containing from 6 to 24 carbon atoms. Preferred
examples include saturated C12 to C18 fatty acids such as lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid
or stearic acid.
In some embodiment, consumer product of the invention is a homecare composition or a personal
30 care composition comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, 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, fabric
35 disinfectant, a dishwash liquid, fruit/vegetable cleaning liquid, floor cleaner, hard-surface cleaning
composition, a rim block composition, or a toilet cleaning composition.
14
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 eugenol, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%;
the consumer product is powder detergent comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol, 0.005 to 2 wt.%
of eugenol, 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 5 eugenol, wherein
terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is a fabric conditioner comprising
0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, 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 eugenol, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product
10 is a fabric disinfectant comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol,
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 eugenol, 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 eugenol, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the
15 consumer product is a vegetable cleaning liquid comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005
to 2 wt.% of eugenol, 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 eugenol, wherein
terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is a hard surface cleaning
composition comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, wherein
20 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 eugenol, 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 wt.% of eugenol, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001
wt.%.
25
Many other kinds of homecare compositions are known, and it is possible that the invention is
embodied in any of such forms.
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the invention is a personal care composition it
30 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.
35 Accordingly, the consumer product is a soap bar comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005
to 2 wt.% of eugenol, 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 eugenol, wherein
terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is a liquid hand was comprising
15
0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, 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 eugenol, 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 eugenol, wherein
terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is a moisturiser 5 comprising 0.005 to
2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%;
the consumer product is a skin cream comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.%
of eugenol, 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 eugenol, wherein terpineol is not
10 more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is a shampoo comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol
and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, 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 eugenol,
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 eugenol, wherein terpineol is not
15 more than 0.001 wt.%; the consumer product is a after shaving lotion comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.%
of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, 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
eugenol, 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 eugenol, wherein
20 terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
In some embodiments, the personal care composition is for leave-on application or rinse-off
application.
25 In some embodiments, the consume product is a personal cleansing, i.e. rinse off application
comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, wherein terpineol is not
more than 0.001 wt.%. This product may be 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
30 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 than 9.0, even more preferably less than 8.5. Highly preferred pH
range is 4 to 8.5, furthermore preferred range is from 5 to 7.5.
35 In some embodiments, the consumer product is an oral care comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol
and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, wherein terpineol is not more 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 or an orally acceptable surfactant. The product may be delivered in the
16
form of an ointment, a gel, a dentifrice or a mouthwash. The Oral care compositions preferably
comprise 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 a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises a thickener.
Typically, thickening silica, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose or a Carbomer 5 is/are preferred
thickeners for use in the composition of the invention. 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 9%, and most
10 preferably, from 1.5 to 8% by weight of the composition.
Suitable humectants are preferably 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 compositions.
15 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 in 5 to 95%, preferably 10 to 75%, and especially at
20 from 10 to 60%, furthermore 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 eugenol, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
One medium through which this may be delivered is a shampoo. The shampoos are formulated
25 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 salt with a solubilising cation such as sodium, potassium, ammonium or
substituted ammonium. Preferred ethoxylated alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant is sodium lauryl
30 ether sulfate (SLES). SLES having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 0.5 to 3, preferably
1 to 3 is especially preferred. A composition of the invention preferably additionally comprises an
amphoteric surfactant preferably a betaine surfactant preferably an alkyl amidopropyl betaine
surfactant for example cocamidopropyl betaine. In a preferred embodiment, the composition
comprises from 0.1 to 10 wt.%, of a betaine surfactant. To enhance deposition of actives from
35 the hair care compositions of the invention especially shampoos, cationic polymers are generally
included therein. In the present invention too, it is preferred that the composition additionally
includes 0.01 to 2.0% of a cationic polymer. The cationic polymer is preferably guar hydroxypropyl
trimonium chloride.
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 eugenol, 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 preferred cationic surfactants for use in the composition are
stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, behentrimonium chloride, or stearyl 5 trimethyl ammonium
chloride. In conditioners of the invention, 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 compositions
of the invention preferably may 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
10 in conditioners of the invention will generally range from 0.5 to 10%, weight of the composition.
In some embodiments, the consumer product is a skin care composition comprising 0.005 to 2
wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
Skin care compositions may be in any form including toners, lotions, creams, mousse, scrub,
15 serum or gel that is suitable for topical application to the skin. The composition can be a leaveon
product such as skin lotions, creams, antiperspirants, deodorants, lipsticks, foundations,
mascara, sunless tanners and 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
20 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 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
25 such as fumed silica. The amount of such sunscreen agents is preferably incorporated from 0.1
to 5% by total weight of the sunscreen composition. The composition of the invention 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
composition of the invention may also comprise a UV-B sunscreen agent. Suitable UV-B
30 sunscreen agent of the invention is selected from the group consisting of a benzophenone, an
anthranilate, a salicylate, a cinnamate, a camphor, benzylidene malonate, a triazone, and
derivatives thereof. Additionally, a skin lightening agent may also be incorporated into the
composition of the invention. Most preferred skin lightening active is a Vitamin B3 compound.
Vitamin B3 compound maybe nicacin, nicotinic acid or niacinamide, preferably niacinamide.
35
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 malodour or to reduce perspiration.
Compositions that reduce perspiration are known as anti-perspirant compositions. These can be
18
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 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 5 called an aerosol.
In some embodiments, the consumer product is a skin cleansing composition comprising 0.005
to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, 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
10 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, 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
15 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 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
20 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 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
25 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 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 preferably those having between 1 and 3
30 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.
In some embodiments, the consumer product is a mouthwash composition comprising is a
35 mouthwash composition comprising 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol,
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
19
lauryl sulphate. Further preferably the mouthwash composition is alcohol-free. It is further
preferred that the mouthwash composition comprises cetyl pyridinium chloride.
Preferred compositions may include other known ingredients such as perfumes, pigments,
emollients, sunscreens, emulsifiers, gelling agents and thickening agents. 5 Choice of these
ingredients will largely depend on the format of the composition.
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 eugenol, wherein terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
10 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 ingredients
which are common in the art to enhance physical properties and performance. Suitable
15 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, antiperspirant agents, anti-aging agents, anti-acne
agents, anti-microbial agents and antioxidants. Preferred compositions may include ingredients
20 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.
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the invention is especially suitable for use in a
25 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.
The consumer product of the present invention may comprise additional ingredients alongside
30 0.005 to 2 wt.% of thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of eugenol, wherein terpineol is not more than
0.001 wt.%. The additional ingredients are employed depending on the nature of the product and
its use. The additional ingredients that may be employed in the consumer product are provided
below.
35 Surfactant:
The antimicrobial composition preferably comprises 1 to 80% surfactant. 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,
20
Interscience 1958, and/or the current edition of "McCutcheon ' s Emulsifiers and Detergents"
published by Manufacturing Confectioners Company or in "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.
5
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 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
10 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 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,
15 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 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.
20
Tallow fatty acids can be derived from various animal sources and generally comprise about 1 to
8% 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
25 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 tallow and lard are also included.
Coconut oil refers to fatty acid mixtures having an approximate carbon chain length distribution
of about 8% C8, about 7% C10, about 48% C12, about 17% C14, about 8% C16, about 2% C18,
30 about 7% oleic and about 2% linoleic acids (the first six fatty acids listed being saturated) . Other
sources having similar carbon chain length distributions, such as palm kernel oil and babassu
kernel oil, are included within the term coconut oil.
A typical fatty acid blend consisted of 5 to 30% coconut fatty acids and 70 to 95% fatty acids ex
35 hardened rice bran oil.
Fatty acids derived from other suitable oils/fats such as groundnut, soybean, tallow, palm, palm
kernel, etc. may also be used in other desired proportions. The most preferred soap is a laurate
21
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 present in 0.5 to 20%, preferably
from 1 to 10% by weight of the composition. The consumer product of the invention is also useful
in hard surface cleaning applications. In such applications preferred surfactants 5 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 surface cleaning applications surfactants are preferably selected from
primary alkyl sulphate, secondary alkyl
10 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 ether sulphates. Alkylpolyglucoside may also be
present in the composition, preferably those having a carbon chain length between C6 and C16.
15 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%
by weight of the composition.
20 Suitable non-soap anionic surfactants include linear alkylbenzene sulphonate, primary and
secondary alkyl sulphates, particularly C6 to C18 primary alkyl sulphates; alkyl ether sulphates;
olefin sulphonates; alkyl xylene sulphonates; dialkyl sulphosuccinates; fatty acid ester
sulphonates; or a mixture thereof. Sodium salts are generally preferred.
25 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 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
30 alkylamidopropyl betaine (wherein the alkyl group is a linear 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.
35
Thus, in a highly preferred aspect, the consumer product may include soap, alkyl sulphate or
linear alkyl benzene sulphonate as the surfactants.
22
The consumer product may further comprise various additional ingredients known to a person
skilled in the art. Such additional ingredients include but are not limited to perfumes, pigments,
preservative, emollients, sunscreens, emulsifiers, gelling agents, or thickening agents. The
consumer product of the invention may also comprise antimicrobial actives in addition to eugenol,
thymol and terpineol. Such antimicrobial actives may be trichlorocarbanilide 5 (TCC), triclosan
(TCN), a zinc compound e.g. (zinc pyrithione) or benzalkonium chloride (BKC), preferably
benzalkonium chloride. Such additional antimicrobial active may be present in 0.1 to 5% by
weight, preferably from 0.5 to 4% by weight of the composition.
10 Skin benefit agents:
The consumer product may include water-soluble skin benefit agents. A variety of water-soluble
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
15 glycol.
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
20 sunflower seed and cottonseed oils.
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
25 are sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl 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
30 compositions.
Preservatives:
Preservatives can desirably be incorporated into the consumer product of this invention to protect
against the growth of potentially harmful microorganisms. Suitable traditional preservatives for
35 compositions of this invention are alkyl esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid. Other preservatives
which have more recently come into use include hydantoin derivatives, propionate salts, and a
variety of quaternary ammonium compounds. Particularly preferred preservatives are
phenoxyethanol, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, imidazolidinyl urea, sodium dehydroacetate
23
and benzyl alcohol. The preservatives should be selected having regard for the use of the
composition and possible incompatibility between the preservatives and other ingredients.
Preservatives are preferably employed in amounts ranging from 0.01% to 2% by weight of the
composition.
5
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 (Styrene/Acrylate copolymer); all of
10 which are useful in enhancing the appearance or properties of the product.
Antimicrobial agents:
A variety of other optional materials may be formulated into the consumer product. These may
include other antimicrobials such as 2-hydroxy-4,2’,4’-trichlorodiphenylether (triclosan), 2,6-
15 dimethyl-4-hydroxychlorobenzene, and 3,4,4’-trichlorocarbanilide; scrub and exfoliating particles
such as polyethylene and silica or alumina; cooling 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 cetyltrimethylammonium
20 bromide, or any combination thereof.
Packaging
The consumer product of the invention may be packaged in a variety of packaging formats which
depends on nature and purpose of the product.
25
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 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
30 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.
When the consumer product is a paste, it preferably is packaged in collapsible tubes or
35 squeezable bottles made of plastic.
The consumer product, such as liquid detergent compositions are usually packaged in bottles
made of rigid plastic. The bottle containing the liquid can be of different sizes and shapes to
24
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 bottle. Keeping in mind the current
trends, the bottles may be made entirely or partly by using recycled plastic or 5 at least recyclable
material.
Liquid detergent compositions are also packaged in pouches, usually in large size, which serve
as refill pouches for pouring or emptying into the bottles.
10 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 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.
15
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.
20 Laundry and dishwash bar compositions are generally enveloped wrapped in a plastic film.
The present invention further relates to a process of preparing the consumer product described
above.
25 In some embodiments, the process of preparing the consumer produced comprises- combining
about 0.005 to 2 wt.% of the thymol and 0.005 to 2 wt.% of the eugenol, 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
30 the consumer product, wherein the terpineol is not more than 0.001 wt.%.
The present disclosure further relates to a method of reducing or inhibiting microbial growth.
In some embodiments, the method of reducing or inhibiting microbial growth comprising
35 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.
25
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention provides for at least 99%
inhibition of the microbes.
In some embodiments, the consumer product of the present invention provides for at least
99.99% inhibition 5 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 eugenol in the consumer product exhibits synergistic effect even
10 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 intended as "open"
terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term
15 "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 recitation no such intent is present. For example,
as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory
20 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 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"
25 (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, 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
30 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 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,
35 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 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
26
and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further 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 "5 A" or "B" or "A and
B."
EXAMPLES
The invention will now be explained in detail with reference to the following non-limiting exemplary
10 embodiments. All chemicals are from synthetic origin procured from commercial 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 Eugenol was determined against E. coli 10536. The observations are
15 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
Example 2: MIC of Thymol and Eugenol
20 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 to >5 log at 0.1%.
At 0.05% eugenol led to ~1 log reduction which increased to 1.5 log at 0.1%.
25
Example 3: Demonstration of synergistic effect
Thymol was taken at 0.01% w/v and 0.3% w/v and eugenol at 0.02% w/v to about 0.5% w/v. The
two ingredients were mixed to form a simple aqueous composition. The balance was water
adjusted to 100 wt%.
30
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 eugenol.
27
The data is shown in Table 2, which LR=log reduction.
Table 2
Ingredient Concentration w/v Log reduction at 30 seconds
Thymol (Ty) 0.03 0.43
Eugenol (Eu) 0.05 0.99
Ty + Eu (Composition) 0.03 + 0.05 2.57
The data indicates that while 0.03% thymol led to 0.43 log reduction and eugenol 5 showed 1-log
reduction, their combination led to 2.57 log reduction, clearly demonstrating synergistic effect,
since an admixture would have exhibited only 1.42 log reduction (additive effect of thymol and
eugenol). 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
10 30 seconds, i.e., is a fast-acting composition.
Example 5
Table 3 shows a model mouthwash (personal care) composition as a non-limiting embodiment of
the invention.
15
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
Eugenol 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.
20 Table 4
Ingredient wt%
SLES 5 to 20
CAPB 2 to 8
NaCl 0.5 to 3
Glycerin 3 to 10
Thymol 0.01 to 0.3
Eugenol 0.02 to 0.5
Fragrance 0.1
Water 60 to 90
Water activity >0.95
28
Example 6
In this example, thymol was combined with other known antimicrobial agents with the reasonable
expectation that at least some combinations would provide synergistic effect as with eugenol.
However, unexpectedly, none of the pairs showed a synergistic effect, thereby further
strengthening the hypothesis that only a selected combination of thymol 5 and eugenol is
synergistic.
Details of the comparative examples is shown in Table 5.
10 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
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
15 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 wt% eugenol,
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%
eugenol.

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 said composition
comprises at least one fragrance ingredient other than said thymol and eugenol.

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,
30
fabric disinfectant, a dishwash liquid, a fruit or vegetable cleaning liquid, floor cleaner, hardsurface
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 alcohol-free.

15) The consumer product as claimed in claim 13, 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,
eugenol, 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, eugenol, 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
eugenol, 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