Delayed Onset Fluid Gel Laundry Detergent for Fragrance Suspension
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry detergents face challenges in stabilizing encapsulated fragrances, which tend to separate due to density differences, requiring structurants and complex manufacturing processes, and struggle to maintain fragrance longevity and aesthetic appeal in unit dose liquid detergents.
Innovation Solution
A detergent composition comprising a surfactant system, water, free fatty acids, and magnesium cations creates a delayed onset fluid gel that suspends encapsulated fragrances, providing stability and aesthetic appeal without pre-mixes, heating, or polymers, allowing for simplified manufacturing and extended fragrance release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If pre-mixed materials and external structurants are used to structure the detergent, then the detergent can suspend encapsulated fragrances, but the manufacturing process becomes complex with heating and homogenization steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnesium cations to change the physical-chemical parameters of the detergent composition, triggering a phase transition from liquid to gel state that provides structuring and suspension capabilities without complex manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for pre-mixed materials and external structurants by using magnesium cations that can be added directly to the liquid detergent formulation, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining suspension stability
2Stability of the object's composition
If the detergent is structured immediately before filling, then encapsulated fragrances can be suspended, but the production facility may be negatively impacted by equipment malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding magnesium cations to the liquid detergent formulation before filling, allowing the gel structure to form in advance within the pouch, ensuring fragrance suspension is established before the product reaches the consumer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides beforehand cushioning by creating a delayed-onset gel structure that forms after filling, protecting against production issues by allowing flexible timing of the structuring process while ensuring suspension stability is achieved
3Duration of action of moving object
If encapsulated fragrances are used to extend fragrance longevity, then textiles remain scented for months, but the encapsulates cream or sedimentate due to density differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite gel structure using magnesium cations that combines the benefits of encapsulated fragrances (long-lasting scent) with suspension stability, forming a unified system where the gel matrix prevents creaming and sedimentation
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 achieves a yield point greater than 0.075 Pa, maintaining fragrance suspension for over 3 months and transforming from a gel to a fluid under shear stress, simplifying production and enhancing consumer experience.
Implementation Method 1
certain combinations of magnesium cation, surfactant, water, and free fatty acids can create a delayed onset fluid gel that is stable and structured with a yield capable of suspending encapsulated fragrances
Implementation Method 2
The fluid gel typically sets within 1 to 3 days of filling... create a yield point greater than 1 Pa
Implementation Method 3
a yield capable of suspending encapsulated fragrances... maintaining fragrance suspension for over 3 months
Implementation Method 4
transforming from a gel to a fluid under shear stress
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a unit dose laundry detergent product containing an in-vitro, delayed onset fluid gel detergent composition and a water soluble film pouch for enclosing the detergent composition. The composition includes a linear alkylbenzene sulfonate and/or an alcohol ethoxy sulfate having a C8-C20 backbone that is ethoxylated with from about 1 to about 10 moles of ethylene oxide, and a non-ionic surfactant comprising an alkoxylated alcohol, in an amount from 20 to 70 wt %, water in an amount from about 10 to about 30 wt %, free fatty acids in an amount from about 2 to 12 wt %, a magnesium cation in an amount of from 0.15 to 1 wt %, and colloidal particles such as an encapsulated fragrance. The composition is opacified and structured yet free of a structuring agent or an opacifying agent. Also disclosed is a method of making such product.