Nonpolymeric Crystalline Structuring Premix for Laundry Liquids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid fabric care compositions, particularly those with little or no anionic surfactant, face challenges in structuring without causing poor phase stability, as polymeric structurants can lead to depletion flocculation and are salt-sensitive, while non-polymeric, crystalline hydroxyl-containing structuring agents require anionic surfactants for emulsification, making them unsuitable for compositions without anionic surfactants.

Innovation Solution

A structuring premix comprising 1.0% to 16% non-polymeric, crystalline, hydroxyl-containing structuring agents emulsified with a combination of low and high HLB nonionic surfactants, which are salt-tolerant and provide improved phase stability, allowing for effective structuring of liquid compositions with minimal anionic surfactant content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If polymeric structurants are used to structure liquid compositions, then structuring capability is improved, but phase stability deteriorates due to depletion flocculation and salt sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase stabilityVSAvoiddepletion flocculation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical nature of the structuring agent from polymeric to non-polymeric crystalline hydroxyl-containing compounds, and changes the surfactant system from anionic to nonionic with specific HLB ranges (5.0-9.5 and 10.5-16.0), thereby eliminating depletion flocculation while maintaining structuring capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite system combining non-polymeric crystalline hydroxyl-containing structuring agents with a specific blend of nonionic surfactants having different HLB values, creating a synergistic effect that provides both structuring and stability without the drawbacks of polymeric structurants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If non-polymeric, crystalline, hydroxyl-containing structuring agents are used, then depletion flocculation is eliminated, but emulsification requires anionic surfactants which complex with cationic actives

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepletion flocculation eliminationVSAvoidcompatibility with cationic ingredients

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the surfactant type from anionic to nonionic, specifically selecting nonionic surfactants with HLB values in the ranges of 5.0-9.5 and 10.5-16.0, which do not complex with cationic actives while still providing effective emulsification of the non-polymeric crystalline structuring agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The nonionic surfactants act as intermediaries that enable the incorporation of non-polymeric crystalline structuring agents into liquid compositions containing cationic actives without causing complex formation, thereby bridging the compatibility gap

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If anionic surfactants are used to emulsify non-polymeric, crystalline, hydroxyl-containing structuring agents, then emulsification is achieved, but complexation with cationic actives reduces efficacy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsification capabilityVSAvoidefficacy of cationic actives

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the charge type of the surfactant from anionic to nonionic, selecting nonionic surfactants with specific HLB ranges that maintain emulsification capability while eliminating the harmful complexation effect with cationic actives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 premix achieves stable rheology and effective structuring in liquid compositions with low anionic surfactant levels, preventing phase separation and maintaining stability over time, even in the presence of cationic ingredients.

Implementation Method 1

such premixes typically have used anionic surfactant to emulsify the non-polymeric, crystalline, hydroxyl-containing structuring agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Implementation Method 2

from 4.0% to 20% of at least two nonionic surfactants, wherein the at least two nonionic surfactants are selected from: at least one low HLB nonionic surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP4083176A1Structuring premixes and liquid compositions comprising them

Publication Date: 2022.11.02 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

The need for a structuring premix which is more salt-tolerant and can be used to structure laundry liquid compositions which comprise little or no anionic surfactant, while avoiding problems with poor phase stability which is associated with cationically charged or uncharged polymeric structuring agents is met by formulating the structuring premix using a non-polymeric, crystalline, hydroxyl-containing structuring agent and at least two nonionic surfactants having a low HLB and a high HLB.