Anhydrous Cleanser Formulation Stability via Water Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The environmental impact of household cleaning products due to single-use plastic packaging, which generates significant waste and is inefficient for both businesses and consumers, necessitates the development of stable, anhydrous cleanser formulations that reduce packaging waste.
Innovation Solution
A stable anhydrous cleanser concentrate formulation comprising an acidic cleaner, pH control agent, gelling agents, drying agents, surfactants, and optional natural/synthetic fragrances, dyes, and binding agents, designed to be in powder form and used in personal hygiene products, reducing water content to less than 5% to eliminate the need for plastic packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If liquid cleanser formulations are used, then cleaning performance is maintained, but plastic packaging waste increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts water from the cleanser formulation to create an anhydrous or low-water content product. This removal of water eliminates the need for plastic packaging while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through the concentrated surfactant and alkaline agent mixture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the water content parameter from typical liquid formulation levels (usually 70-90% water) to anhydrous or very low water content (0-5% water). This parameter change transforms the product from requiring plastic packaging to being packaging-free
2Loss of substance
If water is removed from formulations, then packaging waste is reduced, but formulation stability becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters by removing water and adjusting the ratios of alkaline agents, surfactants, and additives to achieve stability in an anhydrous environment. Specific pH control agents and stabilizers are used to maintain formulation integrity without water
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite formulation combining multiple alkaline agents (sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate), various surfactants (sodium laureth sulfate, sodium cocoyl isethionate), and stabilizing additives that work together to provide formulation stability in the absence of water
3Object-affected harmful factors
If anhydrous formulation is created, then plastic packaging is eliminated, but product complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multi-functional ingredients that perform multiple roles: sodium carbonate serves as both an alkaline cleaning agent and a pH buffer; sodium citrate acts as both a water softener and a chelating agent. This reduces the number of separate components needed despite the anhydrous requirement
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 formulation provides chemical stability, reduced packaging waste, and convenience for consumers while maintaining effective cleaning performance, addressing the environmental concerns associated with traditional liquid cleansers.
Implementation Method 1
one or more surfactants
Implementation Method 2
a drying agent
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to stable, anhydrous concentrated cleanser formulations.