Detergent Capsule Film for Heat-Stable Cold-Water Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shell-encapsulated consumer product packets face challenges with high temperature stability during transportation and storage, as well as slow dissolution in cold water, leading to potential contamination and manufacturing inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A consumer product packet with a capsule that has a tack temperature of 110° F. or higher and dissolves in water within 6 minutes or less at 70° F. or lower, using a polymer or meltable solid-based capsule with a film-forming composition including a detergent concentrate, surfactants, humectants, and a coalescing solvent, and having a low water content to ensure stability and quick release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional shells or capsules are used for encapsulating consumer products, then the ease of use and handling is improved, but the high temperature stability deteriorates (shells become sticky or melt during transportation and storage)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the capsule materials by selecting specific polymers with defined glass transition temperatures, molecular weights, and compositions. This allows the capsule to maintain stability at high temperatures during storage while remaining soluble in cold water during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite capsule structures combining different polymer materials with complementary properties. The capsule shell is formed from a composition of water-soluble polymers that provide both thermal stability and cold water solubility, resolving the contradiction between temperature resistance and dissolution performance.
2Ease of operation
If conventional shells or capsules are used for encapsulating consumer products, then the ease of use and handling is improved, but the low temperature dissolution deteriorates (shells do not dissolve fast enough in cold water)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight, composition, and physical state of the polymer materials to achieve rapid dissolution in cold water. By carefully selecting polymers with appropriate glass transition temperatures and molecular characteristics, the capsule dissolves quickly in cold tap water while maintaining stability during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule structure incorporates porous or semi-permeable characteristics that allow rapid water penetration and quick dissolution. The polymer matrix is designed to facilitate fast water uptake and complete dissolution within seconds to minutes in cold water conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If concentrated composition is encapsulated in shell for consumer products, then the versatility and performance are improved, but the compatibility with conventional shells deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops composite capsule systems where the shell material is specifically designed to be compatible with concentrated detergent compositions. The polymer composition is selected to resist premature interaction with the concentrated chemicals while maintaining solubility in cold water, enabling successful encapsulation of concentrated products.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the chemical and physical parameters of both the capsule shell and the concentrated composition to ensure compatibility. This includes controlling pH, water content, and chemical reactivity parameters to prevent premature reactions during storage while enabling complete dissolution and release during use.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional manufacture or assembly process is involved for shell-encapsulated consumer product packets, then the functionality is improved, but the productivity and manufacturing cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the capsule formation and product filling operations into an integrated manufacturing process. By merging the encapsulation steps with the packaging process, the system achieves enhanced functionality without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity or cost.
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 solution provides a stable product for storage and transportation while ensuring quick and complete release of the detergent concentrate in cold water, enhancing safety and efficiency, and reducing manufacturing costs by using a concentrated form.
Implementation Method 1
substantially dissolves in water within a time period of about 6 minutes or less at a temperature of about 70° F. or lower
Implementation Method 2
the shell or capsule would be exposed to relatively high temperature for a considerable duration before reaching to the retail market. It is difficult for conventional shells or capsules to stand such a rough condition, e.g., they are likely to become sticky or melt during transportation and storage
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes a consumer product packet comprising a capsule and a fill composition within the capsule. The capsule has a tack temperature of about 110° F. or higher and substantially dissolves in water within a predetermined time period at a temperature of about 70° F. or lower. In one example, the capsule comprises a film having at least one polymer, at least one plasticizer, and at least one temperature adjusting agent. Dependent on the fill composition, the consumer product packet may be used for any household or personal use. In one example, the fill composition is a detergent concentrate comprises one or more surfactants, one or more humectants, and a coalescing solvent which has hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value from about 7 to about 9, wherein the ratio of the one or more humectants to the coalescing solvent is more than 1.