Amino-functional Silicone Polymer for Fabric Wrinkle Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fabric conditioners that use amino-functional silicone polymers to reduce wrinkles during laundering are inefficient due to the need for high concentrations and the use of organic solvents, which can deposit on clothing and are costly.
Innovation Solution
A fabric conditioner composition combining a cationic fabric softener with an amino-functional, epoxide group containing silicone polymer of weight average molecular weight 400,000 to 900,000, used at a lower concentration of 0.02 to 0.32% by weight, which is emulsified without organic solvents, providing wrinkle reduction without the need for high polymer levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If amino-functional silicone polymers are used to reduce wrinkles during laundering, then wrinkle reduction is achieved, but high concentrations (at least 5% as is) are required which increases cost and material usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the silicone polymer from typical values of 100,000 or less to high molecular weight values of 400,000 to 900,000. This parameter change enables the polymer to achieve wrinkle reduction at much lower concentrations (0.02 to 0.32% by weight), resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and quantity required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system by combining the high molecular weight amino-functional silicone polymer with specific fabric conditioner components. This composite approach enhances the wrinkle reduction mechanism, allowing effective performance at lower polymer concentrations than traditional single-component systems
2Ease of manufacture
If organic solvents are used to dissolve silicone polymers, then the polymers can be applied, but solvents deposit on clothing and add unnecessary materials to laundering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the organic solvent component from the fabric conditioner system. By formulating with high molecular weight silicone polymers that can be effectively delivered without organic solvents, the harmful solvent deposition issue is eliminated while maintaining polymer application effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fabric conditioner components as intermediaries to deliver the silicone polymer to the fabric. Instead of using organic solvents as the delivery medium, the polymer is incorporated into the fabric conditioner matrix which naturally delivers it to the fabric during the laundering process, eliminating solvent-related harmful effects
Data Source
AI summary
A fabric conditioner composition comprising: a cationic fabric softener, and 0.02 to 0.32% by weight of an amino-functional, epoxide group containing silicone polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 400,000 to 900,000 is described. Also, a method of reducing wrinkles on fabric during laundering comprising laundering the fabric with a composition comprising 0.02 to 0.32% by weight of an amino-functional, epoxide group containing silicone polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 400,000 to 900,000 is described. The polymer is unexpectedly effective at low levels of use.