Detergent Composition for Textile Color Refreshment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current detergent compositions fail to maintain color fastness and often result in the washing out of colors, especially when used with reactive dyes, due to their high reactivity and the pH-dependent interactions with textile fibers and enzymes, leading to unwanted side reactions and enzyme inhibition.

Innovation Solution

A detergent composition comprising a specific range of reactive dyes (0.82-2.8% by weight) and direct dyes (0.66-2.64% by weight), along with surfactants (0.3-20% by weight), fixers (0.1-30% by weight), and builders, which helps in maintaining color fastness and refreshing colors without impairing washing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reactive dyes are used to achieve high wash fastness through covalent bonding, then color fastness is improved, but the dye molecules react with nucleophiles in detergent solution (water, hydroxide anions, surfactant anions) causing loss of reactive dye and requiring precise pH control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor fastnessVSAvoidpH control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a specific detergent composition formulation that acts as an intermediary system, containing reactive dyes (0.82-2.8 wt%), direct dyes (0.66-2.64 wt%), surfactants (0.3-20 wt%), and builders (0.1-30 wt%) in controlled proportions. This formulation mediates between the high reactivity of reactive dyes and the nucleophilic environment of detergent solutions, enabling color refreshment without requiring external pH adjustment while maintaining color fastness and washing performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If reactive dyes are used to refresh colors, then color refreshment is improved, but enzymes in detergent bind covalently to reactive groups causing irreversible inhibition and rendering dye unusable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor refreshmentVSAvoidreactive dye loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the concentration parameters of multiple components in the detergent system. By formulating with reactive dyes at 0.82-2.8 wt%, direct dyes at 0.66-2.64 wt%, surfactants at 0.3-20 wt%, and builders at 0.1-30 wt%, the system creates a balanced chemical environment where enzyme inhibition is minimized and reactive dye utilization is optimized, achieving color refreshment without significant dye loss to enzyme inhibition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If detergent composition contains high reactivity nucleophiles for effective dirt breakdown, then washing performance is improved, but side reactions with reactive dye anchor groups occur causing cleavage and enzyme inhibition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing performanceVSAvoidside reactions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite detergent formulation combining multiple components in specific proportions: reactive dyes (0.82-2.8 wt%), direct dyes (0.66-2.64 wt%), surfactants (0.3-20 wt%), builders (0.1-30 wt%). This composite system balances the high reactivity needed for effective washing with controlled conditions that minimize harmful side reactions, allowing nucleophilic groups to break down dirt while reducing cleavage of reactive dye anchor groups and inhibition of detergent enzymes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 maintains color fastness and enhances color refreshment, reducing color washout in subsequent washes while maintaining effective washing performance.

Implementation Method 1

Reactive dyes are characterized by their ability to bind to the fiber through covalent bonds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCovalent bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

the dye molecules possess one or more identical or different anchor groups. These anchor groups must be capable of forming covalent bonds with the fiber, particularly with free hydroxyl groups of cellulose molecules

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNucleophilic attack: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

Direct dyes are dyes that are bound to the fiber through non-covalent interactions, such as van der Waals or ionic interactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVan der Waals interactions: Van der Waals Force

Implementation Method 4

Direct dyes are dyes that are bound to the fiber through non-covalent interactions, such as van der Waals or ionic interactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonic interactions: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 5

Essential components of detergents are anionic and non-ionic surfactants

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 6

detergent enzymes that break down dirt, usually through hydrolytic cleavage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 7

Amylases, lipases, cellulases, and, most commonly, proteases are used in detergents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentEP3020794B1Detergent composition and use of the same
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 BRAUNS HEITMANN
  • EP3020794B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B

AI summary

The invention relates to a detergent composition, a detergent portion, and the use thereof for washing and simultaneously dyeing textiles. The detergent composition comprises at least one reactive dye and at least one direct dye and is suitable for refreshing already faded colors without significantly impairing the washing result.