Cationic Starch Ware Washing Composition for Low-Foam Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ware washing processes face challenges with cationic guar and cationic celluloses due to high foam levels, chemical and physical instability, and inferior drying performance, especially on plastic substrates, which limits their effectiveness and usability in mechanical ware washing.
Innovation Solution
The use of cationic starches, such as Hi-Cat CWS 42, in the ware washing detergent composition, which provides improved drying performance, reduced foam formation, and stability, even in the absence of nonionic surfactants, allowing for effective sheeting action during the rinse step without the need for separate rinse aids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cationic guar or cationic cellulose is used in the main wash detergent, then drying performance on glass and metal substrates is improved, but foam level increases excessively and drying performance on plastic substrates remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polysaccharide by using cationic starch with specific degree of substitution (0.03-0.15) and molecular weight (50,000-500,000), which modifies the foam generation characteristics while maintaining drying effectiveness across different substrate types including plastics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines cationic starch with nonionic surfactants in specific weight ratios (1/1 to 10/1 of polysaccharide to surfactant) to create a composite detergent system that achieves both low foam levels and excellent drying performance on various substrates
2Reliability
If high levels of nonionic surfactant are combined with cationic starch, then cleaning performance is enhanced, but chemical instability occurs with chlorine and physical instability arises in liquid compositions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of nonionic surfactant to specific ranges (0.01-1% by weight) and controls the weight ratio between polysaccharide and surfactant (1/1 to 10/1), which prevents chemical instability with chlorine while maintaining cleaning effectiveness and physical stability in liquid compositions
3Reliability
If cationic cellulose is used to improve drying performance, then sheeting action is achieved, but substantial foaming occurs and mechanical washing action is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the polysaccharide type from cationic cellulose to cationic starch with specific molecular weight and degree of substitution, which provides effective sheeting action for water removal while generating minimal foam that does not interfere with mechanical washing action
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 enhance drying behavior on various substrates, including plastics, with improved drying coefficients and reduced residual droplets, while maintaining non-foaming properties and stability, offering a simpler and cost-effective ware washing process.
Implementation Method 1
polysaccharides adsorbing on the ware in the main wash process result in a sheeting action and good drying properties
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.