Automatic Dishwashing Solid-and-Gel Detergent Package With 1.60:1–3.00:1 Ratio

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing detergent packages for automatic dishwashing cycles face challenges in achieving superior wash performance while minimizing manufacturing costs and environmental impact, often requiring increased quantities of non-biodegradable or toxic cleaning actives.

Innovation Solution

A package comprising a specific weight ratio of solid to gel detergent compositions, ranging from 1.60:1 to 3.00:1, optimizing cleaning performance without significantly increasing active ingredients, and optionally including a multi-compartment design for separate storage and handling of different detergent forms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If increased quantities of cleaning actives are incorporated into the package, then wash performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and environmental impact worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewash performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of the detergent composition from conventional solid/liquid forms to a gel form. This parameter change allows the same cleaning actives to be delivered more efficiently, achieving superior wash performance without increasing the quantity of cleaning actives or manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite gel composition that combines cleaning actives with a gel matrix. This composite structure allows for controlled release and enhanced effectiveness of the cleaning actives, improving wash performance while maintaining cost-effectiveness and reducing environmental impact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If increased quantities of cleaning actives are incorporated into the package, then wash performance is improved, but environmental impact worsens due to non-biodegradable or toxic ingredients

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewash performanceVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the physical state to gel form, the invention enhances the effectiveness of biodegradable and environmentally friendly cleaning actives. The gel matrix enables controlled release and sustained action, allowing superior wash performance with reduced quantities of eco-friendly ingredients

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The gel composition is designed to be fully soluble and biodegradable, breaking down completely during the wash cycle and subsequent rinsing. This ensures that no harmful residues remain in the environment, making the detergent package environmentally sustainable while maintaining effective cleaning performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Quantity of substance

If gel composition is added to the package, then additional cleaning actives can be contained, but package complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of cleaning activesVSAvoidpackage complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the solid and liquid detergent compositions into a single gel composition. This unified gel matrix can simultaneously contain and deliver multiple cleaning actives in controlled amounts, simplifying the package structure while increasing the effective quantity of cleaning substances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12441966B2Package comprising detergent compositions
Publication Date: 2025.10.14 RECKITT BENCKISER FINISH BV

AI summary

A package for an automatic dishwashing cycle, the package comprising at least one detergent composition in the form of a solid and at least one detergent composition in the form of a gel, wherein the weight ratio of the total amount of solid detergent composition to the total amount of gel detergent composition is between about 1.60:1 and about 3.00:1.