Crosslinked Cellulose Detergent Tablets for Strength and Rapid Dissolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional detergent tablet formulations face a dichotomy between robustness for transportation and handling versus rapid dissolution in water, with poor long-term storage stability, and there is a need for a new formulation that balances these properties while reducing costs and environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

A detergent formulation comprising a detergent surfactant, a crosslinked cellulose ether with 0.1 to 0.6 wt% polyether groups, and a solvent, which includes an irreversibly crosslinked cellulose ether to enhance tensile properties and dissolution rates, replacing propylene glycol to reduce costs and improve environmental profile.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If higher compressive force is used in preparation of detergent tablets, then robustness for transportation and handling is improved, but dissolution rate in wash water deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverobustnessVSAvoiddissolution rate

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the detergent tablet by incorporating crosslinked cellulose ether with specific polyether group content (0.1 to 0.6 wt%). This compositional parameter change enables the tablet to achieve both high robustness and rapid dissolution without requiring extreme compression forces, resolving the contradiction between strength and dissolution rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material strategy by combining crosslinked cellulose ether with polyether groups with conventional detergent ingredients. This composite approach creates a tablet matrix that simultaneously provides mechanical strength for handling and controlled solubility for rapid dissolution, overcoming the trade-off between robustness and dissolution speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If higher compressive force is used in preparation of detergent tablets, then robustness for transportation and handling is improved, but long term storage stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverobustnessVSAvoidstorage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition by adding crosslinked cellulose ether with polyether groups, which changes the physical and chemical parameters of the tablet matrix. This composition change allows the tablet to maintain structural integrity and storage stability without requiring excessive compression forces that would compromise long-term reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If propylene glycol is used in detergent tablet formulation, then dissolution and cleaning performance is maintained, but cost and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by substituting propylene glycol with water and incorporating crosslinked cellulose ether with polyether groups. This parameter change maintains the necessary dissolution properties and cleaning performance while eliminating the need for expensive and environmentally problematic propylene glycol, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If propylene glycol is used in detergent tablet formulation, then dissolution and cleaning performance is maintained, but environmental impact increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts propylene glycol from the formulation and replaces it with water and crosslinked cellulose ether containing polyether groups. This extraction eliminates the environmentally harmful substance while maintaining the functional performance of the detergent tablet through the synergistic action of the crosslinked cellulose ether and surfactant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 formulation exhibits higher tensile strength, rapid dissolution, and maintains equivalent cleaning performance, while reducing costs and environmental impact by substituting water for propylene glycol.

Implementation Method 1

a crosslinked cellulose ether containing 0.1 to 0.6 wt%, based on weight of the crosslinked cellulose ether, of polyether groups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

the detergent tablets must still dissolve quickly enough such that the detergent ingredients may be released into the wash water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS12516269B2Detergent formulation

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 DOW SILICONES CORP

AI summary

A detergent formulation is provided including a detergent surfactant and a crosslinked cellulose ether containing 0.1 to 0.6 wt %, based on weight of the crosslinked cellulose ether, of polyether groups.