Concentrated Liquid Washing Agent Composition for Ecological Opacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to create a visually appealing, concentrated washing agent that is ecologically acceptable and suitable for packaging in water-soluble film pouches, while avoiding the use of traditional opacifying agents that are being critically assessed environmentally.
Innovation Solution
A flowable washing agent preparation comprising 20-80 wt.% surfactant, 2-15 wt.% fatty acid, 0.3-8 wt.% salts of a divalent cation, 0.01-2 wt.% pigment, and 8-35 wt.% solvent, with a specific composition that includes anionic surfactants, fatty acids, divalent salts, and pigments like titanium dioxide, optimized for clarity and viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional opacifying agents are used to produce white liquid washing agents, then the visual appeal (whiteness) is improved, but ecological acceptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using fatty acids (2-15 wt.%) and divalent cation salts (0.3-8 wt.%) to induce cloudiness instead of traditional opacifying agents, achieving ecological acceptability while maintaining visual appeal through natural turbidity formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs readily available, biodegradable components (fatty acids and divalent cation salts) that naturally occur in the environment, replacing persistent traditional opacifiers with environmentally benign substances that break down easily
2Productivity
If concentrated washing agent formulations are used to improve productivity, then the amount of active substance is reduced, but the viscosity increases making the preparation less flowable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of surfactant (20-80 wt.%) and solvent (8-35 wt.%) to achieve a balance where high active substance content is maintained while the preparation remains flowable under standard conditions through proper viscosity control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses solvent as an intermediary substance (8-35 wt.%) that mediates between the concentrated surfactant and the final product, ensuring the preparation maintains flowable properties even at high concentrations by controlling intermolecular interactions
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 provides a cloudy-white appearance with optimal viscosity and turbidity, enhancing the washing agent's processability and storage stability, while being free from organic opacifying agents and enzymes, thus meeting ecological and aesthetic requirements.
Implementation Method 1
0.01 to 2 wt. % pigment
Data Source
AI summary
A flowable washing agent preparation containing, based on the total weight thereof, i) 20 to 80 wt. % surfactant; ii) 2 to 15 wt. % fatty acid; iii) 0.3 to 8 wt. % of the salt of a divalent cation; iv) 0.01 to 2 wt. % pigment; v) 8 to 35 wt. % solvent; and a washing method using same.