Air freshener

Abstract

An improved polymeric material containing volatilizable active ingredients such as air fresheners, odorants, insecticides and the like, which is clear and can be molded into various transparent tinted or untinted decorative objects, and which can also (if desired) be made flexible and tacky on the surfaces to permit its being readily and inconspicuously adhered to any convenient surface, and which gradually releases the active ingredient into the surrounding atmosphere. The polymeric materials of the invention comprise polymerized hydroxy alkyl esters of vinylically unsaturated carboxylic acids, one or more volatilizable active ingredients, and a solubilizing agent having an appropriate balance of hydrophilic and lipophilic functions selected to substantially dissolve the active ingredient. To avoid premature volatilization and/or destruction of the fragrances and freshening agents preferably employed as active ingredients, the compositions of the invention are prepared by polymerizing the monomer in the presence of the other ingredients at temperatures below those normally required to initiate polymerization. This is accomplished by using a reducing agent in combination with the primary catalyst, preferably (in order to avoid odoriferous or otherwise objectionable residues) an organic water soluble reducing agent in combination with a hydrogen peroxide or (except in low water systems) a persulfate catalyst.