Multi-component Detergent with Catechol Metal Complex for Bleachable Stains

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Solution Overview

Problem

Liquid detergents lack effective bleaching agents, leading to inadequate removal of bleachable stains, particularly those containing polymerizable substances like polyphenolic dyes, which can intensify stains during the washing process and result in irreversible discoloration of textiles.

Innovation Solution

A multi-component detergent comprising a catechol metal complex compound in one liquid component and a surfactant in another, which effectively removes bleachable stains without transferring color to textiles or their packaging, ensuring color stability and bleaching action.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If bleaching agents are added to liquid detergents to improve stain removal, then bleaching performance is improved, but the detergent formulation becomes unstable and stains are intensified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestain removal performanceVSAvoiddetergent formulation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The detergent is divided into separate components: a liquid detergent base and a separate bleaching agent compartment. This segmentation allows the bleaching agent to remain stable in storage while being released during washing, resolving the contradiction between stability and effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bleaching agent is pre-positioned in a separate compartment that will be activated during the washing process. This preliminary preparation allows the bleaching agent to remain stable until needed, then become active to remove stains without causing formulation instability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If intense dyes are used in liquid detergents to improve appearance, then product appeal is improved, but textile discoloration and packaging migration occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct appearance and appealVSAvoidtextile discoloration and packaging migration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dye is extracted from the liquid detergent formulation and placed in a separate water-soluble packaging component. This allows the detergent to maintain intense color for appeal while preventing the dye from migrating to textiles or packaging during washing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The water-soluble packaging material acts as an intermediary carrier for the dye. It maintains the dye in a controlled state during storage and washing, allowing color transfer only under controlled conditions that prevent harmful migration to textiles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If polyphenolic dyes are present in stains to be washed, then stain color intensity is increased, but polymerization reactions intensify the stain and cause irreversible discoloration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestain color intensityVSAvoidpolymerization reactions causing irreversible discoloration

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bleaching agent changes the chemical parameters of the polyphenolic dyes during washing, converting them from a state that causes polymerization and irreversible discoloration to a state where they can be safely removed without harmful reactions.

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 detergent effectively removes bleachable stains containing polymerizable substances without discoloring textiles or packaging, maintaining color stability and providing good bleaching performance.

Implementation Method 1

The stains can in particular have been caused by food products or beverages which contain the corresponding dyes... removal of bleachable stains which are normally at least partly removed by using peroxygen-based bleaching agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

a second liquid component K2 that contains at least one surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

at least one catechol metal complex compound of formula (I)... said complex compounds have a very low affinity for natural and synthetic fabrics

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComplex formation: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11566206B2Multi-component detergent comprising catechol metal complex

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

A multi-component detergent, including at least two components, that is contained in a container having at least two chambers, wherein a first component K1 is a first liquid composition, containing at least one catechol metal complex compound of formula (I)and at least one free catechol compound of formula (II) or the salt thereofwith the proviso that the catechol compound of formula (II) and the salt thereof are different from the compounds of formula (I), and a second component K2 is a second liquid composition, containing at least one surfactant. The present invention further relates to the use of the multi-component detergent for removing bleachable stains and a method for washing textiles using the multi-component detergent.