Defibrillated Citrus Fiber Foam Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning compositions face challenges in maintaining foam stability upon dilution without increasing surfactant amounts, which can negatively impact detergent efficacy and environmental sustainability.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning composition comprising water, 5-30 wt-% detergent surfactants, 0.1-8 wt-% electrolytes, 0.1-5 wt-% abrasive particles, and 0.1-4 wt-% defibrillated primary cell wall material with microfibrils, sourced from plant parenchymal tissue, that enhances foam stability and reduces environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a larger quantity of surfactant is used to enhance foaming, then foam formation and stability are improved, but environmental sustainability and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces foam stabilizing particles as an intermediary substance that mediates between the surfactant and the foam structure. These particles act as nucleation sites and structural supports for foam bubbles, allowing reduced surfactant quantities to maintain foam stability. The particles bridge the gap between limited surfactant availability and the need for stable foam formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite foam system combining surfactant molecules with foam stabilizing particles. This composite approach allows the particles to reinforce the foam structure while the surfactant provides surface activity, achieving enhanced foam stability with reduced surfactant concentrations. The composite material concept is applied to the foam structure itself rather than just the liquid composition.
2Productivity
If abrasive particles are added to improve grease and soil removal, then cleaning performance is enhanced, but foaming performance is negatively influenced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two previously separate functional components into a single integrated system: abrasive particles for cleaning and foam stabilizing particles for foam maintenance. Both types of particles coexist in the same composition without compromising each other's function, as the foam stabilizing particles specifically target foam bubble stability rather than interfering with the mechanical cleaning action of abrasives.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam stabilizing particles serve as intermediaries that protect the foam structure from the disruptive influence of abrasive particles. While abrasives mechanically disrupt foam through their cleaning action, the foam stabilizing particles reinforce bubble walls and provide structural support that compensates for this disruption, allowing both functions to coexist.
3Stability of the object's composition
If non-defibrillated cellulose particles are used to suspend gas bubbles, then foam formation is improved, but visible residues form on container walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by defibrillating the cellulose particles to reduce their size and alter their surface properties. This size reduction and structural modification changes how the particles interact with container surfaces and foam bubbles, maintaining the beneficial foam-forming properties while eliminating the harmful visible residues on container walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by treating the cellulose particles to achieve different properties at different scales: at the micro level, the defibrillated structure provides numerous nucleation sites for foam formation, while at the macro level, the reduced particle size prevents visible residue formation on container walls. The same material exhibits different functional qualities at different spatial scales.
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 composition achieves longer-lasting foams and maintains detergent efficacy while reducing surfactant usage and environmental impact, ensuring stable foam formation even in the presence of abrasive particles.
Implementation Method 1
use of particulate cellulose material (for instance from sugar beet pulp) for keeping gas bubbles suspended in a fluid water-based composition
Implementation Method 2
cleaning compositions comprising detergent surfactants
Implementation Method 3
abrasive particles may be included to provide better cleaning performance
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is in the field of cleaning compositions. In particular it relates to a liquid cleaning compositions comprising one or more detergent surfactants. The invention provides cleaning compositions comprising water, one or more detergent surfactants, electrolytes, abrasive particles and defibrillated primary cell wall material comprising microfibrils. The invention also relates to a method for preparing said cleaning composition, wherein the method includes a high shear treatment step.