Multi-Phase Cleaning Agent Gel Barrier Migration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Pre-portioned multi-phase cleaning agents experience significant component migration between compartments, leading to instability, unsightly appearance, and perceived leakage or functionality issues during storage.
Innovation Solution
A pre-portioned cleaning agent with a water-soluble packaging system featuring at least two compartments, containing a solid powder phase and a liquid phase, where the liquid phase includes alkoxylated components, polyalkylene glycols, and specific surfactants to minimize component migration and maintain stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-portioned multi-phase cleaning agents are stored in sealed outer packages, then product protection is improved, but component migration between compartments still occurs leading to instability and appearance issues
Solution Approach 1:
A gel barrier phase is introduced between the solid and liquid phases to prevent direct contact and migration of components. The gel phase acts as an intermediary that physically separates the two phases while maintaining the pre-portioned structure, thereby preventing instability and appearance issues during storage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested compartment structure where multiple phases are contained within separate chambers inside the water-soluble package. The solid phase, liquid phase, and gel barrier phase are nested within hierarchical compartments, preventing component migration while maintaining product protection
2Ease of operation
If water-soluble films are used for packaging, then consumer convenience and safety are improved, but component migration between compartments occurs during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The water-soluble package is divided into multiple sealed compartments, each containing a specific phase (solid, liquid, or gel barrier). This segmentation prevents component migration while maintaining the convenience of water-soluble packaging, as each compartment remains isolated until dissolution during use
Solution Approach 2:
The gel barrier phase serves as an intermediary layer between compartments containing different phases. This gel layer prevents direct interaction and migration of components through the water-soluble film walls, maintaining compositional stability while preserving consumer convenience
3Device complexity
If solid phase absorbs liquid components during storage, then formulation simplicity is maintained, but appearance and dissolving behavior are deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The gel barrier phase acts as an intermediary that prevents the solid phase from absorbing liquid components during storage. This simple gel layer effectively blocks migration while maintaining formulation simplicity and preventing appearance deterioration and dissolving behavior issues
Solution Approach 2:
The nested compartment structure physically isolates the solid phase from the liquid phase, preventing absorption and maintaining appearance. The hierarchical nesting of phases within separate chambers preserves formulation simplicity while avoiding clumping and appearance issues
4Volume of stationary object
If liquid phase volume is reduced due to migration, then packaging efficiency is improved, but consumer perception of product quality is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The gel barrier phase prevents liquid component migration, maintaining liquid phase volume throughout storage. This simple gel intermediary preserves packaging efficiency while preventing the volume loss that would otherwise lead to consumer concerns about leakage or deterioration
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented compartment structure prevents cross-contamination and migration between phases, maintaining the original liquid phase volume. This segmentation preserves packaging efficiency while ensuring product quality perception remains intact during storage
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 effectively prevents significant component migration, maintaining the cleaning agent's stability and appearance, and ensuring consistent performance without perceived leakage or functionality issues.
Implementation Method 1
water-soluble package with at least two compartments
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to pre-portioned multi-phase cleaning agents, in particular dishwasher detergents in a water-soluble packaging having at least two compartments, comprising at least one solid, preferably powder phase and at least one liquid phase, characterized in that the liquid phase (or the liquid phases) a) contains at least one alkoxylated component, preferably two, three, four, or more alkoxylated components, according to formula 1, R1-O-(CH2-CH(R2)-O)w-(CH2-CH(R3)-O)x-(CH2-CH(R4)-O)y-(CH2- CH(R5)-O)z-R6, R1 being selected from -H, -CH3, straight-chain or branched, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated, C2-24 alkyl group or alkenyl group; R2, R3, R4, and R5 being selected independently of each other from -H, -CH3, -CH2CH3, -CH2CH2CH3, CH(CH3)2, preferably -H or - CH3; R6 being selected from -H, -CH3, -CH2CH3, -CH2CH2CH3, -CH(CH3)2, -CH2-CH2-CH2CH3, -CH2CH(CH3)2, -C(CH3)3, C5-24 alkyl or alkenyl, and -CH2CH(OH)R7, R7 being a straight-chain or branched, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated C6-26 alkyl group or alkenyl group; and w, x, y, and z being able to assume values from 1 to 120 independently of each other and x, y, and/or z being able to equal 0, b) is substantially free of organic components that have an average molecular weight of less than 175 g/mol, preferably of less than 150 g/mol; and c) is substantially free of water. The invention further relates to the use of said cleaning agents.