Benefit Agent Delivery Particles for Fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry detergent compositions often result in sub-optimal delivery of benefit agents to fabrics due to dilute concentrations and harsh wash conditions, leading to wastage and inefficient utilization of these agents.
Innovation Solution
The development of benefit agent delivery particles comprising at least 90% of insoluble inorganic material, primarily calcium carbonate, with 0.1 to 20 wt% of a benefit agent, produced by co-precipitating the inorganic material in the presence of the agent, resulting in particles smaller than 20 µm, which enhances the deposition and distribution of the agent on fabrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If benefit agents are blended directly into laundry detergent compositions, then the composition contains the necessary actives, but the delivery of benefit agents to fabric is sub-optimal and they are wasted along with drain water
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the benefit agent delivery system into separate functional components: a carrier particle (inorganic material) and the benefit agent itself. The carrier particle serves as a delivery vehicle that transports the benefit agent to the fabric, preventing premature dissolution and waste. This segmentation allows the benefit agent to be delivered in a controlled manner rather than being lost in the wash liquor.
Solution Approach 2:
The benefit agent is pre-loaded onto or into the carrier particle before the washing process begins. This preliminary incorporation ensures that the benefit agent is positioned on the fabric from the start of the wash cycle, rather than being added in a diluted form that would be inefficient. The carrier particle acts as a pre-prepared delivery system.
2Reliability
If the concentration of benefit agent is increased to overcome low performance, then the effectiveness improves, but the cost to consumer and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier particle serves as an intermediary between the benefit agent and the fabric. Instead of adding large amounts of benefit agent directly to the wash water where it would be diluted and wasted, the carrier particle mediates the delivery by holding and transporting the benefit agent directly to the fabric surface. This intermediary system improves effectiveness while reducing the total quantity of benefit agent needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and delivery parameters of the benefit agent by incorporating it into solid carrier particles. This transformation from dissolved or suspended form to particle-bound form alters the delivery kinetics, allowing for more efficient deposition on fabric and reduced loss to drain, thereby achieving better effectiveness with lower quantities.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If shading dyes are added to laundry detergent compositions, then yellowing of white fabrics is overcome, but the dyes go into solution rather than depositing on fabric and are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The shading dye is segmented from the wash liquor and incorporated onto carrier particles. This separation prevents the dye from dissolving freely in the water and being washed away. Instead, the dye is attached to the carrier particle surface or within its structure, ensuring it remains associated with the fabric throughout the wash cycle and achieves the desired anti-yellowing effect without waste.
4Manufacturing precision
If benefit agent delivery particles are made smaller than 20 µm, then uniform distribution on fabric is achieved, but the manufacturing precision and control of particle size becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the particle size parameter to be smaller than 20 µm, which enables the particles to distribute uniformly across fabric surfaces during the wash cycle. This size parameter change ensures that the particles can penetrate and adhere to fabric fibers effectively, providing even distribution of the benefit agent. The specific size range balances the need for uniform distribution with practical manufacturing considerations.
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
This approach ensures efficient and uniform distribution of benefit agents on fabrics, reducing the required amount needed for enhanced effects while minimizing wastage and cost, with improved dissolution profiles and delayed leaching kinetics.
Implementation Method 1
the particles are produced by co-precipitating said inorganic insoluble material in the presence of the at least one benefit agent in situ
Implementation Method 2
the calcium carbonate is prepared by reacting a carbonate salt of alkali metal and calcium salt of chloride or nitrate
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a laundry detergent composition comprising benefit agent containing delivery particles, wherein at least 90% of the particles are of less than about 20µm, wherein said particles comprise at least 70 wt% of an inorganic material and 0.1 to 20wt% of at least one benefit agent, and wherein the particles are produced by co-precipitating said inorganic material in the presence of the at least one benefit agent in situ. The present invention also pertains to a method for imparting a desired benefit to a fabric, comprising the step of contacting the fabric with an aqueous solution of the aforementioned laundry detergent composition comprising benefit agent containing delivery particles.