Cellulose Outer-Container for Visible Detergent Leak Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing detergent containers face issues with mechanical and environmental stress during bulk storage and transport, leading to potential leaks that can damage undamaged containers and create collateral waste, making it difficult to identify and clean up spills effectively.

Innovation Solution

An outer-container made of at least 30 wt.% cellulose, with detergent containers having less than 5 wt.% cellulose on their external surfaces, and containing a specific dye and surfactant composition that enhances visible staining upon spills, allowing easy identification and cleanup of leaks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If detergent containers are made with high cellulose content outer-container material for bulk storage and transport, then mechanical strength and environmental sustainability are improved, but detergent leakage stains become difficult to remove and cleanup effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strength of outer-containerVSAvoidease of cleaning detergent stains

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different cellulose content requirements to different parts of the system: the outer-container uses high cellulose content (at least 30 wt.%) for strength and sustainability, while the detergent-container external surfaces use low cellulose content (less than 5 wt.%) materials to prevent stain adhesion. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each component for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of detergent leakage into a beneficial detection mechanism. By using dye that does not contain sulphonate groups and is ethoxylated, leakage becomes visually detectable through enhanced staining on the outer-container, allowing quick identification and isolation of affected containers while undamaged containers remain easily distinguishable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If detergent containers are stored in bulk for extended periods during transport and storage, then logistics efficiency is improved, but the risk of mechanical stress and leakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelogistics efficiency of bulk storageVSAvoidintegrity of detergent containers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements preliminary visual detection capability by incorporating specific dye characteristics that enhance stain visibility. This allows leakage to be detected immediately upon opening the outer-container, enabling quick separation of damaged from undamaged containers before further handling or distribution occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Illumination intensity

If dye is added to detergent liquid to provide color appeal and deposition visibility, then consumer appeal and application visibility are improved, but leakage detection and stain removal become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor visibility of detergentVSAvoiddifficulty of detecting leakage and measuring stain area

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the dye by specifying that it must not contain sulphonate groups and must be ethoxylated. These parameter changes fundamentally alter the dye's interaction with cellulose materials, transforming leakage stains from difficult-to-remove markings into easily identifiable and removable indicators of container damage.

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 enables quick identification of damaged detergent containers and reduces collateral waste by ensuring undamaged containers can be easily cleaned, improving quality control during bulk storage and transport.

Implementation Method 1

When a drop of liquid detergent is placed on a material containing a substantial amount of cellulose, the drop has a tendency to be adsorbed into the material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

Due to the presence of dye in the detergent liquid it will cause a visible stain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStaining:

Implementation Method 3

Surfactants are important for lowering water-tension to ensure the wash-liquor gets into more effective contact with the surface to be cleaned

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surface Tension

Data Source

PatentUS20260062193A1Detergent product

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 CONOPCO INC

AI summary

An outer-container suitable for storage and transport of a plurality of detergent-containers comprising a liquid detergent composition; wherein the outer-container has an internal volume of from 10 to 500 L; and wherein the outer-container material comprises at least 30 wt. % cellulose; and wherein the outer-container comprises one or more detergent-containers, wherein at least one of the detergent-containers has an internal volume of from 0.1 to 10L; and has an external surface which comprises one or more externally applied layers comprising less than 5 wt. % cellulose; and comprises a liquid detergent composition which comprises: from 5 to 60 wt. % of surfactant; and from 0.00001 to 0.5 wt. % of a dye which does not contain sulphonate groups and is ethoxylated.