Cyclic Dextrin Malodor Removal in Fabric Treatment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fabrics often become hard due to repeated washings and can retain undesirable odors like body odor, which conventional laundry products fail to effectively neutralize, requiring separate treatments that are not compatible with washing detergents.
Innovation Solution
A particulate fabric treatment composition containing a highly-branched cyclic dextrin as a malodor control agent, combined with a solid particulate carrier and optional fragrance booster and structuring agent, which can be used during the washing cycle to eliminate malodor and provide fragrance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional laundry products are used to wash fabrics, then fabrics can be cleaned, but malodors like body odor are not effectively neutralized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cyclic dextrin as an intermediary substance that binds to malodor molecules through host-guest inclusion complex formation. The cyclic dextrin acts as a mediator between the malodor molecules and the fabric, trapping the odor-causing compounds within its cyclic structure and preventing them from being perceived, thereby effectively neutralizing malodors that conventional detergents cannot remove.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite fabric treatment composition that combines cyclic dextrin with fabric softening agents and fragrances. This composite material provides multiple functions simultaneously: malodor removal through inclusion complex formation, fabric softening, and fragrance enhancement, resolving the limitation of conventional single-function products.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If separate fabric treatment processes are used to address odor and softness, then these properties can be improved, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fabric treatment functions into a single composition applied during one wash cycle. The fabric treatment composition simultaneously provides malodor removal, fabric softening, and fragrance benefits, eliminating the need for separate treatment processes and reducing overall process complexity while maintaining comprehensive fabric care.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal fabric treatment composition that performs multiple functions: it removes malodors through cyclic dextrin inclusion complexes, softens fabrics through conditioning agents, and provides pleasant scents through incorporated fragrances. This multi-functional product replaces multiple separate treatments, simplifying the overall fabric care process.
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 effectively removes malodor from fabrics during washing and imparts desirable scents, addressing the issues of fabric hardness and odor retention without separate treatment processes.
Implementation Method 1
The cyclic dextrin is capable of binding to a malodor through formation of a host-guest inclusion complex
Data Source
AI summary
A particulate fabric treatment composition (unitized or non-unitized format) that contains a malodor control agent is provided. The malodor control agent is a highly-branched cyclic dextrin. The particulate fabric treatment composition (unitized or non-unitized format) can be used during the washing of fabrics to eliminate malodor from the washed fabrics.