Detergent Composition with Dynamic Foam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detergent compositions face challenges in achieving optimal sudsing profiles during wash and rinse cycles, with high suds during wash cycles being desirable but undesirable during rinse cycles, leading to excess water usage and consumer perception of incomplete cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A detergent composition incorporating a cationic polymer, organomodified silicone, and siloxane-based diluent, which controls foam effectively to maintain high wash suds while minimizing rinse suds, allowing for a single rinse cycle and reducing water consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If foam control agents are added to reduce suds volume, then rinse suds are reduced, but wash suds volume is also significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The foam control agent is designed to dynamically change its effectiveness based on wash conditions. The silicone polymer remains relatively inactive during washing but becomes highly effective at foam suppression during rinsing, creating a time-dependent functional transition that resolves the contradiction between maintaining wash suds and reducing rinse suds
Solution Approach 2:
The composition modifies the operational parameters of the foam control agent by changing the pH environment from alkaline (wash) to neutral/acidic (rinse). This parameter change triggers the foam control agent to transition from a low-activity state during washing to a high-activity state during rinsing, achieving selective foam control
2Reliability
If multiple rinse cycles are performed to remove surfactant residue, then cleaning completeness is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foam control agent performs self-service by automatically activating during the rinse cycle to suppress foam formation. This self-triggered mechanism eliminates the need for consumers to perform multiple rinse cycles based on visual foam assessment, enabling single-rinse completion while maintaining cleaning effectiveness and reducing water consumption
3Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional foam control agents are used, then rinse suds are reduced, but consumer perception of cleaning quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by alternating between two distinct functional states: during washing, the foam control agent remains inactive allowing abundant suds formation that signals quality; during rinsing, it becomes active to suppress foam. This periodic switching maintains consumer confidence in cleaning effectiveness while achieving foam control
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 balanced sudsing profile that delights consumers with ample wash suds and minimal rinse suds, conserving water and enhancing environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
The detergent or cleaning products of the present invention contain foam control agents, namely a cationic polymer, an organomodified silicone and a siloxane-based diluent
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed detergent or cleaning compositions with improved sudsing profile, which comprise a cationic polymer, an organomodified silicone and a siloxane-based diluent.