Branched Anionic Surfactant Liquid Detergent Viscosity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Detergents with high viscosity often face dissolution problems and environmental impact concerns, while users associate high viscosity with quality but also desire effective cleaning and sudsing, posing a challenge in achieving a balance between these factors.

Innovation Solution

A liquid detergent with a low surfactant level, specifically using a surfactant system comprising branched anionic surfactants with a controlled level of branching, along with an amphoteric surfactant and water, to maintain viscosity and enhance cleaning and sudsing performance, while being environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If high viscosity detergent is used to improve quality perception and sudsing performance, then user satisfaction and cleaning appearance are improved, but dissolution speed and environmental compatibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveviscosityVSAvoiddissolution speed

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the molecular structure parameters of the anionic surfactant by controlling the degree of branching (5-40%) and alkoxylatio n degree (0.2-3), which fundamentally alters the rheological properties and dissolution behavior of the detergent without requiring high viscosity additives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite surfactant system combining branched anionic surfactant with amphoteric surfactant and nonionic surfactant, where each component contributes different properties: the branched anionic provides viscosity and cleaning, the amphoteric enhances sudsing, and the nonionic improves dissolution and stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If high level of surfactant is used to improve cleaning performance and sudsing, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but environmental impact and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant system by using specifically branched anionic surfactants with controlled branching degrees and alkoxylatio n levels, which provide high cleaning performance at lower concentrations while being more environmentally compatible

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses biodegradable surfactant components that break down quickly in the environment, replacing persistent high-performance surfactants with shorter-lived but more environmentally friendly alternatives that maintain cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stability of the object's composition

If high viscosity is maintained during storage to ensure quality appearance, then product stability is improved, but dissolution and application performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviscosity stabilityVSAvoiddissolution ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a dynamic viscosity system where the detergent maintains high viscosity at rest for stability but exhibits shear-thinning behavior during application, allowing it to flow and dissolve easily when subjected to mechanical stress from pouring or pumping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The combination of branched anionic surfactant with amphoteric and nonionic surfactants creates a composite system with complementary rheological properties that provide both storage stability and application ease through synergistic interactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 detergent achieves fast and effective cleaning, stable viscosity under varying conditions, and a favorable environmental profile, ensuring good dissolution and sudsing performance, meeting user expectations and environmental considerations.

Implementation Method 1

The surfactant system would act as an 'internal structurant'. By 'internal structurant' is meant that the surfactant system would modify the rheology of the solvent to give rise to the detergent of the invention, with the claimed rheological properties.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRheology modification:

Implementation Method 2

Detergent users usually associate high suds with cleaning. Thus a detergent should generate in use high and long lasting suds.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuds formation: Foam

Data Source

PatentEP2757144B2detergent

Publication Date: 2023.12.20 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A liquid detergent comprising from about 5% to about 20% by weight thereof of a surfactant system wherein the surfactant system comprises a branched anionic surfactant having a level of branching of from about 5% to about 40% and wherein the detergent at 20°C has a pouring viscosity of from about 2500 mPa s to about 6000 mPa s as measured at 20°C and a ratio of medium to high shear viscosity of from about 2 to about 1.