Liquid Detergent Beads with Embedded Microcapsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid detergents with microcapsules often become turbid due to light scattering by the microcapsules, which is undesirable for transparent or translucent formulations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating microcapsules into larger visible beads made of a polymeric matrix material, such as polyethylene glycol, which dissolve during washing, releasing the microcapsules and maintaining the transparency of the liquid detergent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microcapsules are suspended in the liquid detergent phase, then fragrance deposition and retention are improved, but the liquid formulation becomes turbid due to light scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds microcapsules within larger bead structures, creating a nested configuration where microcapsules are contained inside the bead matrix. This nesting approach prevents free-floating microcapsules that cause turbidity while maintaining their fragrance deposition function. The beads act as a containing structure that holds multiple microcapsules in a organized manner, eliminating the scattering issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces beads as an intermediary carrier between the liquid detergent phase and the microcapsules. Instead of microcapsules directly interacting with the liquid phase (causing turbidity), the beads serve as a mediating structure that holds microcapsules in a suspended state without direct contact with the continuous liquid phase, thereby maintaining transparency while enabling fragrance release.
2Stability of the object's composition
If structuring agents are added to suspend microcapsules, then distribution uniformity is improved, but the formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses beads with a homogeneous polymeric matrix structure to suspend microcapsules. The uniform bead composition and size distribution provide consistent suspension properties throughout the liquid detergent, ensuring uniform microcapsule distribution without requiring multiple different structuring agents or complex formulation components.
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 approach ensures that the liquid detergent remains transparent or translucent while effectively releasing the microcapsules during the washing process, enhancing fragrance deposition and retention on laundered textiles.
Implementation Method 1
solid particles...made of a polymeric matrix material...which dissolve during washing, releasing the microcapsules
Implementation Method 2
Including microcapsules, in particular when suspended in the liquid phase, causes turbidity in clear liquid formulations due to light scattering at the particles
Data Source
AI summary
Liquid detergent composition comprising (a) a continuous liquid phase that is transparent or translucent; and (b) solid particles, wherein said particles (b1) are made of a polymeric matrix material; (b2) are dispersed in the continuous liquid phase; (b3) have a diameter in the range of about 0.8 to about 8 mm, preferably 1.0 to 2.5 mm; and (b4) comprise a plurality of microcapsules with a diameter in the range of from about 4 to about 70 |jm dispersed in the polymeric matrix material. Use of the liquid detergent for the cleaning of textiles. Method for the cleaning of textiles, comprising contacting the textiles with an aqueous solution of the liquid detergent composition.