Bottom-Dispensing Fabric Conditioner Packaging for Oxygen Exclusion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Unsaturated quaternary ammonium compounds used in fabric conditioning compositions decompose and discolor when exposed to air, leading to malodour, especially when bottles are opened, allowing oxygen-rich air to enter and exacerbate the rancidification process.

Innovation Solution

A packaged fabric conditioning product with a deformable container and a bottom-dispensing device that positions the composition beneath the ullage, limiting oxygen exposure, using a pressure-responsive slit valve to control dispensing and prevent complete ullage refreshment, thereby minimizing oxidation and rancidification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If screw-top bottles are opened for dispensing, then the composition can be accessed and used, but oxygen-rich air enters and exacerbates rancidification of unsaturated quaternary ammonium compounds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing accessibilityVSAvoidoxidation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bottle is inverted during dispensing so that the dispensing orifice is at the lowest point. This configuration ensures that as composition is dispensed, air enters from the top (ullage space) rather than oxygen-rich air directly contacting the composition at the dispensing point, reducing oxidation exposure while maintaining ease of dispensing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If unsaturated quaternary ammonium compounds are used for formulation flexibility and cost, then formulation freedom increases and cost decreases, but decomposition and malodour occur when exposed to air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation flexibilityVSAvoidrancidification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing system creates an environment where the composition is protected from oxygen exposure during storage and dispensing. The inverted bottle configuration with air entering from the top ullage space creates a protective atmosphere that reduces oxidation, allowing unsaturated quaternary ammonium compounds to maintain their benefits without rapid decomposition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful factor (oxygen) is effectively removed from the interaction with the composition by designing the dispensing system to minimize oxygen contact. The air space is positioned away from the composition bulk, and dispensing occurs in a way that prevents oxygen-rich air from contacting the unsaturated compounds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stress or pressure

If complete ullage replacement occurs during dispensing, then pressure equalisation is achieved, but the amount of oxygen-rich air contacting the composition increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure equalisationVSAvoidoxygen exposure volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the bottle during dispensing, the system achieves pressure equalisation while minimizing oxygen exposure. Air enters from the top ullage space rather than displacing oxygen-rich air through the composition, allowing pressure balance without complete ullage refreshment and reduced oxidation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 solution effectively reduces the exposure of unsaturated quaternary ammonium compounds to oxygen, minimizing decomposition and malodour, while maintaining formulation flexibility and ensuring accurate dosing, thus extending the product's shelf life and stability.

Implementation Method 1

gravity forces the flowable composition to be positioned between the ullage and the dispensing device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The valve may be a pressure-responsive dispensing valve that controls the flow according to a pressure difference across the valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2364353B1Improvements relating to fabric conditioning compositions

Publication Date: 2013.01.02 UNILEVER PLC

Figure 1

AI summary

A packaged fabric conditioning product comprising a flowable fabric conditioning composition comprising 0.5-40% by weight of at least one unsaturated quaternary ammonium compound, said composition contained in bottom-dispensing packaging which comprises (i) a deformable container in which the fabric conditioning composition is stored with ullage; and (ii) a dispensing device which is located at the base of the container such that in the inverted position the flowable fabric conditioning composition is positioned beneath the ullage and above the dispensing device.