Core-and-Shell Laundry Composition for Localized Stain Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry compositions fail to effectively combine stain removal, malodour elimination, and sanitization in a single product, requiring multiple products and processes, and lack localized pre-treatment capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A core-and-shell laundry composition comprising a self-standing gel or solid shell with amphoteric and anionic surfactants, polar organic solvents, and a core containing bleaching agents, bleach activators, and enzymes, allowing for localized stain treatment and use in washing machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate laundry products are used for stain removal, malodour elimination, and sanitization, then each function can be performed by specialized products, but the complexity of the cleaning process increases and multiple products are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple laundry functions (stain removal, malodour elimination, and sanitization) into a single core-and-shell composition. The shell contains surfactants for stain removal and the core contains bleaching agents and antimicrobial compounds, allowing one product to perform multiple functions that previously required separate products.
Solution Approach 2:
The laundry composition is designed to be universal, performing stain removal, malodour elimination, and sanitization simultaneously. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple specialized products and simplifies the cleaning process while maintaining effectiveness across different laundry needs.
2Reliability
If high temperatures are used for sanitization and stain removal, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and fabric damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the laundry composition by incorporating bleaching agents and antimicrobial compounds that are effective at lower temperatures. This allows sanitization and stain removal to occur at reduced washing temperatures, decreasing energy consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition uses a composite structure with surfactants in the shell and bleaching/antimicrobial agents in the core. This composite formulation creates synergistic effects that enhance cleaning and sanitization performance at lower temperatures, reducing both energy consumption and fabric damage risk.
3Quantity of substance
If liquid laundry compositions are used, then surfactants and bleaching agents can be included, but enzymes cannot be added to the formulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the laundry composition into distinct shell and core components. The shell contains surfactants and bleaching agents, while the core houses enzymes and other compounds. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling enzyme inclusion in a liquid formulation without compromising surfactant performance.
4Quantity of substance
If powder laundry compositions are used, then bleaching agents and enzymes can be included, but the type and amounts of surfactants are more limited
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the composition into shell (surfactants) and core (enzymes), the patent enables liquid formulations to include both high concentrations of diverse surfactants and enzymes, overcoming the limitations of powder formulations where surfactant variety and amount are restricted.
5Reliability
If pre-treatment is applied to specific stain areas, then stain removal effectiveness is improved, but the treatment may expand to other areas of the garment that do not need treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The shell acts as a controlled delivery system that can be applied locally to stains. Its structure allows for targeted treatment without excessive spread to surrounding areas, combining the effectiveness of pre-treatment with controlled application.
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 efficiently removes stains, malodour, and reduces bacteria, viruses, and fungi at lower temperatures, providing a single product solution for comprehensive laundry care.
Implementation Method 1
the shell comprises: at least one amphoteric surfactant, at least two anionic surfactants
Implementation Method 2
the core comprises: at least one bleaching agent, at least one bleach activator
Implementation Method 3
the core comprises: at least one enzyme
Implementation Method 4
the shell comprises: at least one polar organic solvent, preferably selected from the group consisting of polar protic solvents
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a core-and-shell laundry composition, wherein the shell comprises: at least one amphoteric surfactant, at least two anionic surfactants, wherein a first anionic surfactant comprises or consists of at least one alkanolamine soap, and at least one polar organic solvent; wherein the shell is in the form of a self-standing gel or a solid at a temperature lower than 50° C. The invention also relates to a method of cleaning a stain on a laundry item and optionally washing the laundry item and to the use of the composition according to the invention for the removal of stains form a garment and/or the removal of malodour form a garment and/or the reduction or elimination of bacteria, viruses and/or fungi from a garment.