Antioxidant Fabric Treatment for Long-Lasting Elastane Odor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fabric treatment compositions for elastane-containing fabrics are ineffective in providing long-lasting malodor reduction, as they often fail to deposit antioxidants effectively, especially when fabrics are clean or only lightly soiled, leading to rapid reemergence of malodor.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a fabric treatment composition with a concentration of at least 25 ppb antioxidant and 10 ppm surfactant, applied at a ratio of 0.1:1 to 100:1 with the fabric, ensuring effective deposition of antioxidants onto elastane-containing fabrics, even when clean, to inhibit autoxidation and reduce malodor formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If antioxidants are incorporated at low levels in fabric treatment products, then the product is gentler and has fewer harsh chemicals, but the antioxidant deposition onto fabrics is insufficient and malodor control is short-lived
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of antioxidants in the treatment composition to at least 25 ppb, which is higher than conventional low levels. This parameter change enables sufficient antioxidant deposition onto fabrics while maintaining product gentleness, resolving the contradiction between product mildness and effective malodor control duration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies antioxidants to fabrics in advance before malodor formation occurs, creating a protective layer that prevents autoxidation of soils and sebum. This preliminary action ensures long-lasting malodor control without requiring harsh chemicals or high concentrations during subsequent wear
2Duration of action of stationary object
If current fabric treatment compositions are used on clean or lightly soiled fabrics, then the fabrics remain fresh longer, but the antioxidants fail to deposit effectively and malodor quickly reappears
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a minimum antioxidant concentration of 25 ppb in the treatment composition, ensuring sufficient quantity is available for effective deposition onto clean or lightly soiled fabrics. This concentration parameter change overcomes the insufficient deposition problem and enables long-lasting freshness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses surfactants as intermediaries to facilitate antioxidant deposition onto fabric surfaces. The surfactant acts as a mediator that enhances the attachment of antioxidants to fabric fibers, ensuring effective deposition even when fabrics are clean or only lightly soiled, thereby extending freshness duration
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 method provides prolonged malodor reduction by ensuring antioxidants deposit and remain on the fabric, effectively inhibiting the formation of malodorous species, regardless of soil presence, maintaining freshness for at least 24 hours to several days.
Implementation Method 1
Such soil and sebum left on the fabrics lead to the production of malodorous materials through spontaneous autoxidation
Implementation Method 2
At least some portion of the antioxidant is deposited onto the elastane-containing fabric
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating an elastane-containing fabric. The method including the steps of providing a fabric treatment composition having an antioxidant and a surfactant, and providing an elastane-containing fabric. The method further including the step of contacting the elastane-containing fabric with the fabric treatment composition in the presence of water, wherein the fabric treatment composition and the water form a treatment liquor having an antioxidant concentration of at least 25 ppb, a surfactant concentration of at least 10 ppm, and wherein the ratio of treatment liquor to elastane-containing fabric (w/w) is from 0.1:1 to 100:1. At least some portion of the antioxidant is deposited onto the elastane-containing fabric.