Crosslinked Cationic Polymer Fabric Conditioner Viscosity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fabric conditioner polymers face challenges in achieving high viscosity while maintaining weight efficiency and preventing soil redeposition, which leads to undesirable blotchy appearances on fabrics.
Innovation Solution
A fabric conditioner composition using a crosslinked water swellable cationic polymer with less than 25% water soluble polymeric chains and a high level of cross-linking, specifically a copolymer of acrylamide and trimethylaminoethylmethacrylate chloride, is developed, improving weight efficiency and reducing soil redeposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If standard cationic polymeric thickeners are used to increase viscosity, then the viscosity of fabric conditioner is improved, but soil redeposition increases leading to blotchy appearance on fabrics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymer by controlling the cross-linking degree (5-50 mmol per mole of cationic monomer units) and molecular weight (10,000-1,000,000 g/mol). This optimization allows the polymer to provide sufficient viscosity while reducing soil redeposition compared to standard thickeners
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses cross-linked cationic polymeric thickeners that combine multiple functional properties: viscosity building, soil anti-redeposition, and fabric softening. The cross-linked structure creates a composite material that simultaneously addresses viscosity requirements while preventing soil redeposition through its specific molecular architecture
2Temperature
If additional softening active is added to increase viscosity, then the viscosity of fabric conditioner is improved, but the cost significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-linked cationic polymer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a thickening agent to increase viscosity, as an anti-redeposition agent to prevent soil redeposition, and as a fabric softener. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to add separate softening actives solely for viscosity control, thereby reducing overall formulation cost
3Temperature
If highly water soluble polymers are used to achieve high viscosity, then the viscosity of fabric conditioner is improved, but the polymer amount required increases reducing weight efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the water solubility parameter by controlling the cross-linking degree and molecular weight of the polymer. The cross-linked structure reduces excessive water solubility while maintaining sufficient viscosity-building capability, thereby improving weight efficiency and reducing the total polymer amount required in the formulation
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
This composition achieves higher viscosity with less polymer, reducing soil redeposition and maintaining stability, thus enhancing the performance and appearance of fabric softening compositions.
Implementation Method 1
the polymer is a crosslinked water swellable cationic polymer
Implementation Method 2
a cross-linking agent concentration of from 500 ppm to 5000 ppm relative to the polymer
Data Source
AI summary
A fabric conditioner composition comprising a polymer and a fabric softening active, characterised in that the polymer is a crosslinked water swellable cationic copolymer of at least one cationic monomer and optionally other monomers selected from non-ionic and anionic monomers, characterized in that the polymer comprises less than 25 % of water soluble polymers, by total weight of the polymer, and a cross-linking agent concentration of from 500 ppm to 5000 ppm relative to the polymer.