Liquid fabric enhancers comprising branched polyester molecules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current quaternary ammonium softeners in liquid fabric enhancers suffer from a narrow pH formulation window, stability issues, and high molecular weights leading to processing difficulties and non-biodegradability, while polymeric softening agents like silicone and polyethylene waxes are expensive and difficult to process.
Innovation Solution
The use of branched polyester polymers with specific molecular weights and iodine values, combined with fabric and home care ingredients, results in a liquid fabric enhancer with improved softening performance and easier processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If quaternary ammonium softeners are used in liquid fabric enhancers, then fabric softening performance is achieved, but the formulation has a narrow pH window and stability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the softening agent from linear quaternary ammonium compounds to branched polyester polymers with specific molecular weights (500-400,000 g/mol) and iodine values (0.4-50). This structural parameter change enables the softener to function across a broader pH range while maintaining stability and performance.
2Reliability
If polymeric softening agents like silicone and polyethylene waxes are used, then superior softening performance is delivered, but they are expensive and difficult to process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter of polyester polymers to range from 500 to 400,000 g/mol, with preferred ranges of 1,000-200,000 g/mol and most preferred 1,000-60,000 g/mol. This parameter optimization balances processing ease with softening performance, avoiding the high viscosity and processing difficulties of higher molecular weight polymers while maintaining effective softening action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses polyester polymers that can be combined with various fabric and home care ingredients to create composite formulations. These composite materials provide synergistic performance gains while maintaining ease of processing and emulsification into liquid fabric enhancers.
3Reliability
If high molecular weight polymeric softening actives are used, then softening performance is improved, but viscosity increases making them difficult to process and dispose of
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific molecular weight parameters for the polyester polymer softeners, ranging from 500 to 400,000 g/mol, with preferred ranges of 1,000-200,000 g/mol and most preferred 1,000-60,000 g/mol. This parameter control ensures adequate softening performance while maintaining low enough molecular weight for easy processing and disposal.
4Reliability
If synthetically derived polymeric materials are used, then softening performance is achieved, but biodegradability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs polyester polymers that can be derived from renewable resources and designed with biodegradable characteristics. These composite polymer structures maintain effective softening performance while being environmentally friendly and biodegradable, unlike traditional synthetic polymeric softeners.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to fabric cleaning and/or treatment compositions as well as methods of making and using same. Such fabric cleaning and/or treatment compositions contain species of glyceride copolymers that have the required viscosity and lubricity. Thus, such species of glyceride copolymers provide improved softening performance and formula ability.