Fresh-Cut Grass Scented Synthetic and Natural Vegetations

Abstract

The present invention describes a synthetic grass or natural vegetation comprising a scenting component, wherein the scenting component comprises a scenting ingredient that emits a fresh-cut grass scent. Various known grass scent chemicals can be utilized in accordance with the present invention. Known encapsulation techniques can also be utilized, and the scenting component encased microcapsules, pressure activated or moisture activated, can be adhered to the synthetic grass or natural vegetation.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to fresh-cut grass scented synthetic and natural vegetations (e.g., grass, groundcover, etc.) and methods for making same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fragrance- or flavor-imparting agents and fragrance- or flavor-retaining agents are widely used in fields including beverages, cosmetics, sanitary and hygienic goods, detergents, bath refreshing additives, medicines, and agricultural chemicals. Fragrance- or flavor-imparting agents are used for imparting fragrance or flavor. Fragrance- or flavor-retaining agents are used for enhancing, modifying, or retaining a pleasant odor of a perfume or sweet taste of a flavoring agent.

A fragrance results from a variety of components (materials) in a fragrance composition. Ordinarily, fragrances are created by blending materials (ingredients) comprising odoriferous essential oils, extracts from woods, gums, flowers and other botanicals, resins, animal secretions, and synthetic aromatic materials. These materials are blended in order to achieve what are known as “top note,” “middle note,” and “bottom note” components. The first is the refreshing quality sensed upon application. The last is the essence of the fragrance, which stays with the wearer for a long time. The middle note is the perceived quality that bridges from top to bottom note.

In recent years, green note fragrance/flavor-imparting agents have been of particular interest in the field of perfumery. The fresh aroma of freshly cut green grass fragrant imparting agents are used in candles, potpourri, bath and body products, melt-and-pour soap, cold process soap, gel wax, and the like. However, no prior art methods are available for scenting synthetic grass or natural vegetations (e.g., natural grass, groundcover, etc.) with a fresh-cut grass scent. The present invention meets this need with methods for scenting natural or synthetic grass with fresh-cut grass scent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a feature of the present invention to provide synthetic grass comprising a scenting component, wherein the scenting component comprises a scenting ingredient that emits a fresh-cut grass scent. Various fresh-cut grass scent chemicals are commonly known, and any of them may be used in accordance with the present invention.

In accordance with yet another feature, the scenting component can be layered onto the synthetic grass.

In accordance with yet another feature, synthetic grass comprises a woven or non-woven fabric material having the scenting component integrated therein.

In accordance with yet another feature, the scenting component can be layered onto natural vegetations (e.g., natural grass, groundcover, etc.).

In accordance with yet another feature, the invention comprises a scenting component, wherein the scenting component comprises a controlled release component and a scenting ingredient that emits a fresh-cut grass scent. The controlled release component encapsulates the scenting ingredient, and releases the scenting ingredient when the controlled release component is ruptured upon the application of pressure or friction

Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a synthetic grass comprising a scenting component, wherein the scenting component comprises a scenting ingredient that emits a fresh-cut grass scent. Various scenting ingredients are commonly known, and any of them may be used in accordance with the present invention. Exemplary scenting ingredients include leaf alcohol (i.e., cis-3-hexen-1-ol) and leaf aldehyde (i.e., trans-2-hexenal), trans-2-hexenol, cis-2-hexenol, trans-3-hexenol, 1-hexanol, 1-hexanal and cis-3-hexenal, aldehydes, acetals, allyl ethers, di-methyl bezo carbinols and derivatives thereof.

The scenting component may be a formulation. In some embodiments, the scenting component comprises one or more of the above scenting ingredients. In some embodiments, the scenting component comprises more than 1% of one of the scenting ingredient (volume/volume). In some embodiments, the scenting component comprises more than 5% of one of the scenting ingredient (volume/volume). In some embodiments, the scenting component comprises more than 10% of one of the scenting ingredient (volume/volume). In some embodiments, the scenting component comprises more than 20% of one of the scenting ingredient (volume/volume). In some embodiments, the scenting component comprises more than 30% of one of the scenting ingredient (volume/volume). In some embodiments, the scenting component comprises more than 40% of one of the scenting ingredient (volume/volume). In some embodiments, the scenting component comprises more than 50% of one of the scenting ingredient (volume/volume). In some embodiments, the scenting component comprises more than 75% of one of the scenting ingredient (volume/volume). In some embodiments, the scenting component comprises about 1%—about 10% of one of the scenting ingredient (volume/volume). In some embodiments, the scenting component comprises about 5%—about 25% of one of the scenting ingredient (volume/volume). In some embodiments, the scenting component comprises about 25%—about 50% of one of the scenting ingredient (volume/volume).

In some embodiments, the scenting component is layered onto the synthetic grass or natural vegetations (e.g., natural grass, groundcover, etc.). Layering the scenting component is the process of repeated application of the scenting component in different concentrations on synthetic or natural grass for prolonged release of the fragrance.

In some embodiments, the synthetic grass comprises a woven or non-woven fabric material having the scenting component integrated therein. Non-woven fabric is typically manufactured by putting small fibers together in the form of a sheet or web, and then binding them either mechanically (as in the case of felt, by interlocking them with serrated needles such that the inter-fiber friction results in a stronger fabric), with an adhesive, or thermally (by applying binder, in the form of powder, paste, or polymer melt, and melting the binder onto the web by increasing temperature). The scented synthetic grass can be made with a woven or non-woven fabric material having the scenting component integrated therewith. Known encapsulation techniques can be used to integrate scent into the fabric. In one embodiment, the scenting component is located in the spaces between the fibers composing the woven or non-woven fabric. In another embodiment, the scenting component is embedded within the fibers composing the woven or non-woven fabric The fabric may comprise natural or synthetic fibers.

In some embodiments, the synthetic grass comprises a scenting component, wherein the scenting component comprises a controlled release component and a scenting ingredient that emits a fresh-cut grass scent. In some embodiments, the controlled release component encapsulates the scenting ingredient, and releases the scenting ingredient when the controlled release component is ruptured upon the application of pressure or friction. The pressure or friction that can rupture the controlled release component may be from a person stepping or rubbing the scented grass, and thereby the controlled release component.

The present invention also features a natural vegetation (e.g., natural grass, groundcover, etc.) which comprises a scenting component. In some embodiments, the scenting component comprises a controlled release component and a scenting ingredient that emits a fresh-cut grass scent. In some embodiments, the controlled release component encapsulates the scenting ingredient, and releases the scenting ingredient when the controlled release component is ruptured upon the application of pressure or friction. The pressure or friction that can rupture the controlled release component may be from a person stepping or rubbing the scented grass, and thereby the controlled release component.

Said encapsulation is well known to a person skilled in the art, and may be performed, for instance, using techniques such as spray-drying, agglomeration or extrusion; or consist of a coating encapsulation, including coacervation and complex coacervation techniques. The encapsulated scenting component can be adhered to the synthetic or natural grass. In encapsulation techniques, the scenting component can be entrapped into a solid matrix The controlled release component comprises uncomplexed cyclodextrin; odor blockers; reactive aldehydes; flavanoids; zeolites; activated carbon; mono-, di-, or trisaccharides; natural or modified starches; hydrocolloids; cellulose derivatives; polyvinyl acetates; polyvinyl alcohols; proteins;or pectins. Matrix materials can also be used for encapsulating the scenting ingredient. Examples of particularly useful matrix materials include sucrose, glucose, lactose, levulose, fructose, maltose, ribose, dextrose, isomalt, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, lactitol, maltitol, pentatol, arabinose, pentose, xylose, galactose, maltodextrin, dextrin, chemically modified starch, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, succinylated or hydrolyzed starch, agar, carrageenan, gum arabic, gum acacia, tragacanth, alginates, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, derivatives, gelatin, agar, alginate, and mixtures thereof. Encapsulation technique that protects the volatile scenting component in a dry environment and releases scent upon contact with moisture can also be utilized in the present invention.

Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.

Claims

1. A synthetic grass comprising a scenting component, wherein the scenting component comprises a scenting ingredient that emits a fresh-cut grass scent.

2. The synthetic grass of claim 1, wherein the scenting component is layered onto the synthetic grass.

3. The synthetic grass of claim 1, wherein the scenting component is integrated into the synthetic grass.

4. The synthetic grass of claim 1 comprising a woven or non-woven fabric material having the scenting component integrated therein.

5. The synthetic grass of claim 1, wherein the scenting ingredient is a leaf alcohol (i.e., cis-3-hexen-1-ol) and leaf aldehyde (i.e., trans-2-hexenal), trans-2-hexenol, cis-2-hexenol, trans-3-hexenol, 1-hexanol, 1-hexanal and cis-3-hexenal, aldehydes, acetals, allyl ethers, dimethyl bezo carbinols, or mixtures thereof.

6. A synthetic grass comprising a scenting component, wherein the scenting component comprises a controlled release component and a scenting ingredient that emits a fresh-cut grass scent.

7. The synthetic grass of claim 6, wherein the controlled release component encapsulates the scenting ingredient, and releases the scenting ingredient when the controlled release component is ruptured upon the application of pressure or friction.

8. The synthetic grass of claim 6, wherein the controlled release component comprises uncomplexed cyclodextrin; odor blockers; reactive aldehydes; flavanoids; zeolites; activated carbon; mono-, di-, or trisaccharides; natural or modified starches; hydrocolloids; cellulose derivatives; polyvinyl acetates; polyvinylalcohols; proteins; or pectins.

9. The synthetic grass of claim 6, wherein the controlled release component comprises a matrix material selected from the group consisting of sucrose, glucose, lactose, levulose, fructose, maltose, ribose, dextrose, isomalt, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, lactitol, maltitol, pentatol, arabinose, pentose, xylose, galactose, maltodextrin, dextrin, chemically modified starch, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, succinylated or hydrolysed starch, agar, carrageenan, gum arabic, gum acacia, tragacanth, alginates, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, derivatives, gelatin, agar, alginate, and mixtures thereof.

10. A natural vegetation comprising a scenting component, wherein the scenting component comprises a scenting ingredient that emits a fresh-cut grass scent.

11. The natural vegetation of claim 10, wherein the scenting component is layered onto the natural vegetation grass.

12. The natural vegetation of claim 10, wherein the scenting ingredient is a leaf alcohol (i.e., cis-3-hexen-1-ol) and leaf aldehyde (i.e., trans-2-hexenal), trans-2-hexenol, cis-2-hexenol, trans-3-hexenol, 1-hexanol, 1-hexanal and cis-3-hexenal, aldehydes, acetals, allyl ethers, dimethyl bezo carbinols, or mixtures thereof.