Detergent Composition Using DATEM Surfactant for Hard Water Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry detergents, particularly those used in hard water conditions, often deposit residues on washing machine heating elements and textiles, and there is a desire for detergents derived from natural materials that maintain high detergency without these issues.
Innovation Solution
A laundry detergent composition comprising 5-50 wt.% diacetyltartaric acid esters of monoglyceride and diglyceride (DATEM) along with additional surfactants, enzymes, and preservatives, which effectively cleans textiles in hard water conditions without causing deposits, using a combination of natural and synthetic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If synthetic detergents are used to achieve high detergency in hard water conditions, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but residue deposition on heating elements and textiles occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using DATEM (diacetyltartaric acid esters of monoglyceride and diglyceride) as the primary surfactant component instead of conventional synthetic detergents. This parameter change maintains effective cleaning in hard water while eliminating the harmful residue deposition issue, as DATEM forms soluble complexes with calcium and magnesium ions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite detergent formulation combining DATEM with specific auxiliary ingredients including builders (citric acid, sodium carbonate), enzymes (protease, amylase, cellulase), and perfumes. This composite approach leverages the natural surfactant properties of DATEM while enhancing overall detergent performance through synergistic combinations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If natural materials are used to derive detergent components, then environmental friendliness and natural origin are improved, but effectiveness in hard water conditions may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the natural DATEM molecule by selecting specific fatty acid chain lengths (C12-C20) and degrees of unsaturation, and by controlling the monoglyceride/diglyceride ratio. These parameter optimizations ensure that the natural surfactant maintains high effectiveness in hard water conditions while retaining its natural origin and biodegradability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces builder components (citric acid, sodium carbonate) as intermediaries that work synergistically with the natural DATEM surfactant. These builders complex with hard water ions, preventing them from interfering with the natural surfactant's cleaning action, thus bridging the gap between natural origin and hard water effectiveness.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If DATEM is used as the primary surfactant to avoid residue deposition, then cleanliness and lack of deposits are improved, but formulation stability and preservation become critical challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preservatives (sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate) and antioxidants (sodium metabisulfite) as intermediary substances that protect the DATEM formulation from microbial degradation and oxidation. These intermediaries extend the shelf life and maintain formulation stability without interfering with the surfactant's cleaning performance or contributing to residue formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different functional ingredients at specific concentration levels optimized for their respective roles: DATEM (5-50%) for surfactancy, builders (1-30%) for water softening, enzymes (0.0001-5%) for stain removal, and preservatives (0.0001-1%) for conservation. This localized optimization of ingredient qualities ensures overall formulation stability while maintaining the residue-free cleaning advantage.
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 detergent composition provides effective cleaning in hard water conditions while preventing bacterial and fungal growth, maintaining high detergency, and avoiding residue formation on washing machine elements and textiles.
Implementation Method 1
Diacetyltartaric acid esters of monoglyceride and diglyceride (DATEM) are emulsifiers used in food processing
Implementation Method 2
a) from 5 to 50 wt.%, preferably from 5 to 40 wt.%, more preferably from 6 to 30 wt.% of diacetyltartaric acid esters of monoglyceride and diglyceride (DATEM)
Implementation Method 3
b) from 0.0001 to 5 wt.% of further laundry ingredients selected from perfumes, protease enzymes, amylase enzymes, cellulase enzymes and preservatives
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a detergent composition, comprising: a) from 5 to 50 wt.%, preferably from 5 to 40 wt.%, more preferably from 6 to 30 wt.% of a diacetyltartaric acid ester derivative of a monoglyceride; b) from 0.0001 to 5 wt.%, of further laundry ingredients selected from: perfumes, protease enzymes, amylase enzymes, cellulase enzymes and preservatives; and, c) from 0.5 to 40 wt.%, more preferably from 1 to 30 wt.% of an anionic surfactant; wherein the preservative, if present, prevents bacterial, mold or fungal growth; and to a domestic method of treating a textile comprising treatment of the textile with an aqueous solution of 0.15 to 20 g/L of said detergent composition.