Alkaline Detergent with Reactive Dye for Low-Temp Color Rejuvenation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry detergent compositions that incorporate fabric-substantive dyes do not adequately clean fabrics during domestic laundering processes, requiring additional conventional detergents and resulting in inefficient color rejuvenation and increased costs, as dyes are not as effective at low temperatures typical of domestic washing.
Innovation Solution
A solid laundry detergent composition combining a detersive surfactant and a reactive dye with a pH of 10.5 or greater, which improves dye-fabric interaction and color rejuvenation, comprising a low level or absence of anionic surfactants, sodium sulphate, bleach, phosphate builder, zeolite builder, and sodium silicate, and including a non-ionic detersive surfactant and enzyme system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If dyes from textile mill processes are incorporated into conventional laundry detergent compositions, then colour rejuvenation is provided, but fabric-substantivity and cleaning performance deteriorate at low domestic laundering temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the detergent composition to be strongly alkaline (pH 10.5 or greater), which fundamentally alters the behavior of reactive dyes. This pH modification enables the dyes to exhibit improved fabric-substantivity and color rejuvenation properties at low domestic washing temperatures, resolving the temperature-dependent performance issue of conventional dyes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite detergent system combining reactive dyes with specific alkaline builders (sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide) and surfactants in a strongly alkaline matrix. This composite formulation synergistically enhances dye-fabric interaction and cleaning performance simultaneously, overcoming the trade-off between color care and cleaning capability
2Ease of operation
If conventional laundry detergent compositions are used, then fabric cleaning is achieved, but colour deterioration occurs over multiple wash cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The strongly alkaline detergent composition enables fabrics to undergo self-rejuvenation during the washing process. The reactive dyes in the alkaline environment actively deposit onto faded fabric areas, automatically restoring color without requiring separate treatment steps, thus maintaining both cleaning and color stability
3Ease of manufacture
If fabric-substantive dyes are incorporated into detergent compositions, then colour rejuvenation is improved, but fabric cleaning performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional detergent composition where the strongly alkaline environment enables the same formulation to simultaneously perform fabric cleaning, color protection, and color rejuvenation. The reactive dyes and alkaline builders work together to provide multiple benefits in a single product, eliminating the need for separate treatment compositions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition provides both effective fabric cleaning and color rejuvenation, maintaining fabric color over multiple wash cycles while reducing environmental impact and improving shelf-life and transport efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the high pH improves the strength of the dye-fabric interaction, improves the fabric-substantivity of reactive dye and improves the colour rejuvenation profile
Implementation Method 2
improves the fabric-substantivity of reactive dye
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a solid laundry detergent composition comprising a detersive surfactant and a reactive dye, wherein upon contact with water the composition has an equilibrium pH of 10.5 or greater at a concentration of 4g/l in de-ionized water and at a temperature of 20°C.