Cationic Starch Ware Washing for Low-Foam Rinse-Free 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
Incorporating cationic starches, such as Hi-Cat CWS 42, in the detergent composition with a weight ratio of nonionic surfactant to cationic starch at most 1:1, or no nonionic surfactant at all, to enhance drying performance and reduce foam formation, allowing for effective sheeting action in the rinse step without intentionally added rinse agents.
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 parameter from cationic guar or cationic cellulose to cationic starch, which fundamentally alters the foam-generating properties while maintaining the drying performance. This parameter substitution resolves the contradiction by finding a material that provides the same functional benefit (drying) without the harmful side effect (excessive foam).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a readily available, inexpensive material (cationic starch) that can be easily incorporated into the detergent formulation. This material provides the necessary drying function temporarily during the wash cycle without creating persistent harmful effects like excessive foam that would require additional treatment.
2Manufacturing precision
If high weight ratio of nonionic surfactant to cationic starch is used, then cleaning performance is enhanced, but chemical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of nonionic surfactant from high levels to low levels (at most 1:1 weight ratio to cationic starch, preferably lower). This parameter adjustment maintains sufficient cleaning performance while eliminating the chemical instability that occurs at higher surfactant concentrations, particularly with chlorine-containing compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reduces the reliance on nonionic surfactants by using cationic starch as the primary functional ingredient for drying performance. This substitution allows the system to achieve the desired effect with minimal surfactant, thereby maintaining chemical stability while preserving cleaning efficacy.
3Manufacturing precision
If nonionic surfactant is combined with cationic starch at high concentrations, then sheeting action is improved, but physical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of nonionic surfactant to low levels when combined with cationic starch. This parameter change ensures that the sheeting action required for effective rinsing and drying is achieved through the cationic starch coating on substrates, rather than through high concentrations of surfactant that would cause physical instability and phase separation.
4Manufacturing precision
If cationic cellulose is used to improve drying performance, then foam formation increases, but cleaning efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes cationic cellulose with cationic starch, changing the material parameter while maintaining the drying function. This substitution is combined with optimized low levels of nonionic surfactant to ensure that cleaning efficiency is maintained through the synergistic action of the detergent system, rather than relying on high foam formation from cationic cellulose.
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
Cationic starches improve drying behavior on various substrates, including plastics, with reduced drying time and fewer residual droplets, while maintaining non-foaming properties and stability in solid detergents, providing better cleaning and drying efficiency without the need for separate rinse aids.
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 best drying properties are obtained with a cationic guar... which provides very good drying on glass and metal substrates
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.