Colored Speckles with Releasing Agent Layer for Non-Bleeding Laundry Detergents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing colored speckles in laundry detergents face issues with fabric staining, bleeding, and slow color release, as well as the transfer of color to surrounding detergent powder, which limits their aesthetic and functional effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

The development of colored speckles comprising a porous carrier material combined with a releasing agent and a coloring agent, where the releasing agent is applied to the carrier to facilitate rapid color release into wash water while preventing bleeding and staining, using materials like clays, silicas, and polymeric colorants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If dyes and pigments are used to produce colored speckles for aesthetic purposes, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but fabric staining risk increases at higher colorant loadings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidfabric staining

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A releasing agent layer is introduced as an intermediary between the coloring agent and the fabric. This layer controls the release of colorant, allowing aesthetic coloration while preventing direct contact and staining of the fabric. The releasing agent acts as a mediator that enables controlled color transfer only under specific wash conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

A porous carrier material is used to hold the coloring agent and releasing agent. The porous structure provides a matrix that controls colorant release through its pore structure, enabling the color to be released into wash water while preventing direct staining of fabrics. The porosity allows controlled interaction with wash water while protecting the fabric from excessive colorant contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Illumination intensity

If colored speckles are included in granulated laundry detergents, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but bleeding or transferring of color onto the surrounding detergent powder occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidcolor bleeding

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The releasing agent layer serves as a protective intermediary between the coloring agent and the surrounding detergent powder. This layer prevents direct contact and color transfer to the base powder, while still allowing the speckle to maintain its aesthetic appearance and release color under appropriate wash conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

A coating layer comprising the releasing agent is applied to form a protective film around the coloring agent within the porous carrier. This thin film acts as a barrier that prevents color bleeding to the surrounding detergent powder while maintaining the integrity and aesthetic appearance of the colored speckle during storage and handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Illumination intensity

If conventional colored speckles are used, then aesthetic purposes are served, but rapid color release into wash water is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor releaseVSAvoidcolor release time

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The porous carrier material provides a structure that facilitates rapid color release into wash water. The interconnected pore network allows quick penetration of wash water and rapid diffusion of the coloring agent, enabling fast color release while maintaining controlled interaction to prevent fabric staining.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The releasing agent layer is designed to change its properties under wash conditions, transitioning from a state that prevents bleeding during storage to a state that allows rapid color release during washing. This parameter change enables the system to achieve both bleed prevention and rapid color release performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables quick color release into wash water without staining fabrics or the surrounding detergent, maintaining aesthetic appeal and improving cleaning performance while preventing color transfer, thus enhancing the functional and aesthetic properties of colored speckles.

Implementation Method 1

a porous carrier material... quickly release color from the porous carrier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

at least one releasing agent... facilitates rapid color release into wash water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS8318652B2Colored speckles comprising a porous carrier and a releasing agent layer

Publication Date: 2012.11.27 MILLIKEN & CO

AI summary

This invention relates to non-bleeding and quick color releasing colored speckles for use in granular laundry detergents and other consumer products. The speckles are comprised of a porous carrier, a releasing agent, and a coloring agent.