Cleaning implement with a rheological solid composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning implements, such as melamine foam and high-water containing compositions, face challenges with firmness, aqueous phase expression, and thermal stability, particularly when dealing with tough stains and in maintaining cleaning effectiveness over time, due to issues like quick release of active agents and thermal instability.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning implement combining an erodible foam with a rheological solid composition comprising a crystalline mesh of fiber-like crystalline particles, which provides sufficient firmness, thermal stability, and aqueous phase expression, achieved by adjusting the concentration and chain length distribution of crystallizing agents like sodium carboxylates, and optionally incorporating actives and sodium chloride for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional high-water containing compositions use sodium carboxylate-based crystallizing agents to achieve firmness, then the composition becomes too concentrated and loses aqueous phase expression capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the crystallizing agent by selecting fatty acids with specific chain lengths (C13-C20) and controlling their concentration (0.1-10% wt), which allows achieving firmness while maintaining aqueous phase expression capability through optimized parameter selection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite rheological solid composition combining water (80-99.9% wt), crystallizing agents (fatty acid salts), and optional active ingredients, where the composite structure provides both firmness from the crystalline network and aqueous phase expression from the water-rich matrix
2Strength
If polyols are added to produce firm rheological solid composition, then firmness is achieved but the crunch and glide feel and cooling sensation are eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates polyols from the composition, relying instead on the crystalline structure of fatty acid salts to provide firmness, thereby preserving the sensory properties of crunch, glide feel, and cooling sensation that are lost when polyols are present
3Strength
If conventional compositions use too soluble gelling agents to achieve firmness, then firmness is achieved but thermal stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solubility parameter of the gelling agent by selecting fatty acids with chain lengths of C13-C20, which have optimal solubility characteristics that provide both firmness through crystallization and thermal stability by remaining stable at elevated temperatures throughout the product's shelf life
4Reliability
If sponges are impregnated with detergents to improve cleaning performance, then cleaning effectiveness is improved but active agents release quickly causing loss and requiring extra rinsing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous release of active ingredients from the rheological solid composition during the cleaning process, maintaining effective concentrations over time rather than rapid initial release followed by depletion, thereby reducing active agent loss and eliminating the need for extra rinsing
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 offers improved cleaning performance by maintaining firmness and thermal stability, allowing for effective aqueous phase expression and prolonged active agent release, addressing the limitations of existing compositions in terms of firmness, stability, and cleaning efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a rheological solid composition comprising a crystalline mesh of fiber-like crystalline particles
Implementation Method 2
which if compressed expresses aqueous phase
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning implement for cleaning a target surface is provided that includes an erodible foam adapted to contact a surface to be cleaned and a rheological solid composition comprising a crystallizing agent and an aqueous phase.