Alkali Metal Carbonate Dispersion Stabilization in Dishwasher Detergent

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Solution Overview

Problem

Liquid pre-portioned machine dishwashing detergents face challenges in achieving effective cleaning performance on burnt dirt while maintaining storage stability due to limitations in using high amounts of alkali metal hydroxides, meta-silicates, and aliphatic amines, which can cause packaging instability and leaks.

Innovation Solution

A pre-portioned machine dishwashing detergent in a water-soluble packaging with two compartments, where the first compartment contains 20-60% alkali metal carbonate and 0.01-10% magnesium-containing layered silicate, ensuring stability and preventing sedimentation or segregation during storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If large amounts of alkali metal hydroxides or meta-silicates are used to improve cleaning performance on burnt dirt, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the water-soluble packaging is attacked and leaks occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidpackaging stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical form of the alkaline substance from hydroxides/meta-silicates to carbonate, and introduces layered silicate as a stabilizing agent. This parameter change allows achieving high alkalinity (20-60% alkali metal carbonate) without attacking the packaging, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning performance and packaging stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite system combining alkali metal carbonate with magnesium-containing layered silicate. The layered silicate acts as a stabilizing matrix that prevents direct contact between the alkaline carbonate and the packaging, enabling both high cleaning performance and packaging integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If large amounts of aliphatic amines are used to improve cleaning performance, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the same packaging attacks and leaks occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidpackaging stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces aliphatic amines with alkali metal carbonate as the alkaline cleaning agent. This parameter change eliminates the packaging attack issue while maintaining high cleaning performance, as carbonate does not have the same degrading effect on water-soluble packaging materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If ortho-silicates are used in large quantities to improve cleaning performance, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but heavy deposits are formed on items to be washed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoiddeposits on items
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes from ortho-silicates to layered silicate (specifically magnesium-containing layered silicate). This parameter change prevents deposit formation because layered silicate has different solubility and adhesion characteristics that avoid heavy deposits while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If liquid pre-portioned cleaning agents are formulated with high alkaline substances, then cleaning performance on burnt dirt is improved, but storage stability and tightness are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent formulates a composite system where alkali metal carbonate is stabilized by magnesium-containing layered silicate. The layered silicate creates a stable dispersion that prevents segregation and maintains both high alkalinity for cleaning performance and storage stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters to use carbonate instead of hydroxides, combined with layered silicate stabilization. This allows achieving 20-60% alkaline content with improved storage stability and prevented packaging attacks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances cleaning performance on burnt dirt and maintains storage stability by stabilizing the alkali metal carbonate dispersion with magnesium-containing layered silicates, preventing unwanted leaks and deposits, and ensuring effective use in water-soluble packaging.

Implementation Method 1

further contains a magnesium-containing layered silicate in an amount of 0.01 to 10% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the first liquid preparation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion stabilization: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentEP3114198B1Pre-portioned cleaning agent comprising at least two separate liquid preparations
Publication Date: 2019.10.30 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

The invention relates to a pre-portioned cleaning agent, preferably dishwasher detergent, in a water-soluble package having at least two compartments, comprising at least one first and one second liquid preparation, characterized in that the first liquid preparation contains alkali metal carbonate, preferably sodium carbonate, in an amount of from 20 to 60 % by weight (relative to the total weight of the first liquid preparation).