Convex Detergent Tablet Design for Uniform Disintegration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Detergent tablets with multiple phases often experience uneven dissolution and disintegration due to differences in density caused by uneven pressure distribution during the pressing process, leading to cracking and inconsistent performance.

Innovation Solution

A detergent tablet design featuring a pressed body with a convexly curved upper surface and a cavity in the thickest part, using a concave-shaped heading tool to distribute pressure evenly and prevent disproportional density, allowing for uniform disintegration of multiple phases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a cavity is provided in the pressed body during the pressing procedure, then separate phases can be provided in the detergent tablet, but the portion of composition under the cavity receives noticeably higher pressure resulting in higher density and uneven dissolution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparate phasesVSAvoiddensity uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The upper surface of the pressed body is designed with a convex curvature that concentrates the maximum thickness at the center where the cavity is located. This curved geometry distributes the pressing force more uniformly across the composition, preventing the formation of high-density zones around the cavity while still allowing the cavity to be formed. The convex shape ensures that pressure is applied progressively from the edges toward the center, maintaining density uniformity throughout the pressed body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a cavity is provided in the pressed body, then separate phases can be provided, but cracks tend to form in the area under the cavity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparate phasesVSAvoidcrack resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The convex curvature of the upper surface creates a stress distribution pattern during pressing that eliminates stress concentration points. By shaping the pressed body with a dome-like form where the cavity is located at the apex of the convex surface, the structural integrity is maintained throughout the pressing process. This curved geometry prevents the formation of cracks that would otherwise occur in flat-topped tablets with cavities, as the convex shape naturally distributes mechanical stresses uniformly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a cavity is provided in the pressed body, then separate phases can be provided, but different dissolution or disintegration occurs in parts with different density

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparate phasesVSAvoiddissolution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The convex upper surface geometry ensures that the entire pressed body, including the region surrounding the cavity, achieves uniform density. This uniform density distribution is critical for consistent dissolution behavior. When the tablet dissolves, all phases including those in and around the cavity dissolve at the same rate, ensuring complete and uniform disintegration without leaving undissolved fragments or creating inconsistent cleaning performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3591029A1Detergent tablets having a convex structure
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 DALLI-WERKE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3591029A1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~1(D)
  • EP3591029A1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(C)
  • EP3591029A1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(C)

AI summary

The present invention refers to detergent tablets comprising a pressed body having an upper and a lower surface wherein at least one of the upper or lower surface being convexly curved.