Concentrated Cleaning Composition Viscosity Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning compositions face challenges in achieving stable viscosity, fragrance, and cleaning efficacy, particularly in concentrated forms, which are desirable for sustainability but often result in poor physicochemical properties.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous cleaning composition is developed, comprising an aqueous base, a surfactant system with a combination of anionic and nonionic surfactants, and viscosity modifying agents such as ethanol and poloxamer, to achieve the desired viscosity, stability, and cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If concentrated cleaning compositions are formulated to improve sustainability and reduce packaging, then plastic usage and carbon footprint are reduced, but viscosity and stability become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning composition by using alcohol-based viscosity modifiers instead of traditional water-soluble polymers. This parameter change allows the concentrate to maintain appropriate viscosity without requiring excessive thickening agents that would compromise stability or create precipitation issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces alcohol (ethanol or isopropanol) as an intermediary substance that serves as both a solvent and a viscosity modifier. This intermediary allows the formulation to achieve the desired physical properties without using problematic polymer thickeners that cause instability in concentrated forms.
2Ease of operation
If traditional thickening polymers are used in concentrated compositions to provide appropriate viscosity, then the concentrate achieves desired thickness, but the reconstituted compositions exhibit poor physicochemical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses alcohol as an intermediary viscosity modifier that provides the necessary thickness without the harmful side effects of traditional polymers. The alcohol-based system maintains compatibility with surfactants and other ingredients, preventing the precipitation and instability issues that arise with polymer thickeners in concentrated formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the approach to viscosity modification by switching from polymer-based thickeners to alcohol-based modifiers. This parameter change in the type of thickening agent eliminates the compatibility issues and poor physicochemical properties that occur when polymers are used in concentrated cleaning compositions.
3Productivity
If multiple surfactants are combined to improve cleaning efficacy, then oil emulsification is enhanced, but complexes formed between surfactants cause instability and precipitates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical environment parameters by using alcohol as a co-solvent, which alters the interaction between surfactant molecules. This parameter change in the solvent system allows multiple surfactants to work together synergistically for improved oil emulsification while preventing the formation of unstable complexes and precipitates that typically occur in aqueous systems.
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 effectively maintains a stable viscosity and fragrance, while enhancing cleaning efficacy, including improved oil emulsification and foam generation, thus meeting consumer expectations for performance and sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more surfactants may function as emulsifiers, foamers, detergents, solubilizers, and wetting agents in the cleaning compositions
Implementation Method 2
The cleaning compositions generally include one or more surfactants, which may be nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, or amphoteric surfactants
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of viscosity modifying agents, the viscosity modifying agents comprising ethanol, a poloxamer, or a combination thereof
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of viscosity modifying agents, the viscosity modifying agents comprising ethanol, a poloxamer, or a combination thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Aqueous cleaning compositions and methods for making and using the same are disclosed herein. The aqueous cleaning compositions may comprise a surfactant system comprising a plurality of surfactants dispersed in an aqueous base, the plurality of surfactants comprising at least one anionic surfactant and at least one nonionic surfactant; and a plurality of viscosity modifying agents comprising ethanol, a poloxamer, or a combination thereof. The aqueous cleaning composition may have a viscosity of from about 500 cP to about 1500 cP.