Coated Detergent Particles Reducing Staining via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry detergent particles face challenges in reducing staining and maintaining photostability of dyes during storage, with existing methods either resulting in low surfactant concentration granular powders or liquid formulations that are not optimal for efficient washing.
Innovation Solution
Development of coated detergent particles with a surfactant core and inorganic salt coating, where the dye is incorporated in the coating, allowing for reduced staining and increased photostability, and a concentrated surfactant formulation that balances between conventional granular and liquid formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dye is incorporated in the core of detergent particles, then the product has good washing performance, but the dye causes staining and poor photostability during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent particle is divided into core and coating segments, with the dye placed in the coating layer rather than the core. This segmentation allows the dye to be separated from the surfactant core, reducing staining while maintaining photostability during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating layer acts as an intermediary between the dye and the environment, providing a protective barrier that enhances photostability and reduces staining potential while allowing the dye to remain functional for color enhancement during washing.
2Productivity
If conventional granular powder formulation is used, then the product has simple manufacturing, but the surfactant concentration is low reducing washing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation parameters are changed to achieve a concentrated surfactant core formulation with reduced inorganic filler content. This creates a high-surfactant-concentration particle that maintains simple granular manufacturing while dramatically improving washing efficiency through increased active surfactant content.
3Ease of operation
If liquid formulation is used, then the product has high surfactant concentration, but the product lacks the mechanical properties and dosing control of solid particles
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation utilizes phase transition principles by creating a solid particulate structure from concentrated surfactant that would normally be liquid. The surfactant core is formulated to maintain a semi-solid or solid state at storage conditions, providing mechanical strength and dosing control while retaining the high concentration benefits of liquid formulations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a coated lenticular or disc detergent particle having perpendicular dimensions x, y and z, the particle comprises: (i) from 40 to 90 wt % surfactant selected from: anionic surfactant; and, non-ionic surfactant; (ii) from 1 to 40 wt % water soluble inorganic salts; (iii) from 0.0001 to 0.1 wt % dye, wherein the dye is selected: from anionic dyes; and, non-ionic dyes; and, (iv) from 0 to 3 wt % of perfume, wherein the inorganic salts and the dye are present on the detergent particle as a coating and the surfactant is persent as a core.