Cleaning Particle Stability via Composite Polymer Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polymers with low softening points pose challenges in cleaning compositions due to instability and incompatibility issues, particularly in automatic dishwashing applications, where they can be difficult to incorporate and maintain stability across varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning composition comprising a particle with a polymer having a softening point between 20°C to 60°C, combined with a first material of high BET surface area and a second material of low surface area, which enhances the particle's robustness, flowability, and stability, allowing for effective dissolution and residue-free performance in automatic dishwashing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a polymer with low softening point is used in cleaning compositions, then the polymer can be readily available for cleaning, but the polymer becomes unstable and difficult to handle during manufacturing and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a low softening point polymer with a high softening point polymer to create a particle composition. The low softening point polymer (30-70 wt%) provides cleaning effectiveness, while the high softening point polymer (30-70 wt%) provides structural stability and handlesability. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by allowing the low softening point polymer to perform its cleaning function while the high softening point polymer ensures the particle remains stable during manufacturing and storage.
2Ease of manufacture
If a polymer is synthesized in aqueous solution with low active level, then the polymer is easy to process, but the solution is not suitable for concentrated products or unit dose products where space is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the polymer from a low active aqueous solution state to a highly concentrated particle form. The particle comprises 30-70 wt% polymer, representing a significant increase in polymer concentration and active substance quantity. This parameter change enables the polymer to be suitable for concentrated products and unit dose formulations while maintaining processability through the particle format.
3Reliability
If polymers are incorporated into cleaning compositions, then cleaning performance is improved, but incompatibility between the aqueous solution and other liquid cleaning composition components arises, causing stability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from an aqueous solution format to a particle format. This fundamental parameter change in physical state and composition structure eliminates compatibility issues with other liquid cleaning composition ingredients. The particle format allows the polymer to be incorporated without causing instability, while still providing the desired cleaning performance when the particle dissolves or disperses during use.
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 ensures the polymer's stability and effective dissolution in automatic dishwashing, preventing residue formation and improving handling during manufacturing and use.
Implementation Method 1
a first material (b) having a BET surface area greater than 150 m2/g
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning composition comprising a particle said particle comprising:(a) from 30 to 70% by weight thereof of a polymer having a softening point in the range from about 20°C to about 60°C; (b) from 20 to 60% by weight thereof of a first material having a BET surface area greater than 100 m2/g and a D50 from about 5 to about 20 µm; (c) from 3 wt% to 15% by weight thereof of a second material having a BET surface area from about 0.01 to about 5 m2/g and a D50 from about 30 to about 100 µm.