Cationic Starch Ware Washing for Low-Foam Sheeting Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ware washing processes face challenges with cationic guar and cationic cellulose due to high foam levels, chemical and physical instability, and inferior drying performance, especially on plastic substrates, when using nonionic surfactants in combination with cationic starches.
Innovation Solution
A ware washing method utilizing a detergent composition with cationic starch, which provides improved drying behavior and reduced foam formation, even in the presence of soils, by maintaining a low ratio of nonionic surfactant to cationic starch and omitting intentionally added rinse agents, allowing the cationic starch to create a sheeting action during the rinse step.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If cationic guar or cationic cellulose is used in the main wash detergent, then drying performance is improved, but foam level increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameter of the polysaccharide from cationic guar or cationic cellulose to cationic starch, which fundamentally alters the foam-forming properties while retaining the drying performance. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by selecting a different chemical class with inherently lower foam tendency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cationic starch as a built-in rinse aid that is consumed during the washing process, eliminating the need for separate rinse aid applications. This disposable approach reduces foam problems while maintaining drying performance.
2Manufacturing precision
If high levels of nonionic surfactant are combined with cationic starch, then cleaning performance is improved, but chemical and physical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of nonionic surfactant from high levels to low levels (0.1-5% instead of higher concentrations), which resolves the chemical and physical instability issues while maintaining adequate cleaning performance through the cationic starch's primary action.
Solution Approach 2:
The cationic starch acts as an intermediary substance that provides the rinse aid function and improves drying performance without requiring high concentrations of nonionic surfactant, thereby stabilizing the detergent composition.
3Manufacturing precision
If cationic starch is used with high levels of nonionic surfactant, then cleaning ability is enhanced, but foaming increases and physical stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of nonionic surfactant to low levels (0.1-5%), which simultaneously reduces foaming and maintains cleaning ability through the cationic starch's effectiveness at lower surfactant concentrations.
4Manufacturing precision
If cationic starch is used with high levels of nonionic surfactant, then cleaning performance is improved, but physical stability and flowing properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of nonionic surfactant to low levels (0.1-5%), which resolves physical instability and flowing property issues while maintaining cleaning performance through optimized cationic starch formulation.
5Manufacturing precision
If cationic starch is used with high levels of nonionic surfactant, then cleaning ability is enhanced, but tablet or briquet production becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of nonionic surfactant to low levels (0.1-5%), which improves the flow and compression properties for tablet or briquet production while maintaining cleaning ability through effective cationic starch formulation.
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 method achieves enhanced drying performance on various substrates, including plastics, with reduced drying time and fewer residual droplets, while preventing foam formation and ensuring stability in detergent formulations, even in domestic and institutional settings.
Implementation Method 1
polysaccharides adsorbing on the ware in the main wash process result in a sheeting action and good drying properties
Implementation Method 2
The rinse aid typically consists of non-ionics present in an amount of 10 to 30% in water... polysaccharides adsorbing on the ware in the main wash process result in a sheeting action
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method of washing ware, in particular in an automatic domestic or institutional ware washing machine, using a detergent composition containing a cationic starch. This eliminates the need for a surfactant in the rinse step. The cationic starch provides a layer of cationic starch on the ware so as to afford a sheeting action in an aqueous rinse step without any added rinse agent.