Liquid Dishwashing Detergent Foaming via Alkanediol

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid dishwashing detergents struggle to balance effective cleaning with enhanced foaming, particularly when using alkyl sulfated anionic surfactants with little or no alkoxylation, as nonionic surfactants improve soil removal but reduce foaming.

Innovation Solution

A liquid hand dishwashing detergent composition comprising 5-50% by weight of a surfactant system that includes alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant with less than 0.25 average degree of alkoxylation, an amphoteric or zwitterionic co-surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant, along with 0.1-10% mid-chain 1,2-alkanediol to enhance foaming and cleaning performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nonionic surfactant is added to improve soil removal, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but foaming is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidfoaming

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of alkoxylation degree in alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant to less than 0.25, which fundamentally alters the surfactant system's foaming characteristics. This parameter change enables the system to maintain high foaming while incorporating nonionic surfactants for improved soil removal, as the low alkoxylation degree creates a surfactant environment that is less sensitive to foaming reduction from nonionic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite surfactant system combining alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant (with low alkoxylation), co-surfactant, and nonionic surfactant in specific ratios. This composite approach allows the individual components to complement each other: the anionic surfactant provides base foaming, the co-surfactant enhances stability, and the nonionic surfactant improves soil removal, achieving both high foaming and effective cleaning simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant with little or no alkoxylation is used to enhance foaming, then foaming is improved, but soil removal is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefoamingVSAvoidsoil removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple surfactant types (anionic, co-surfactant, and nonionic) into a unified surfactant system where each component contributes different functionalities. The alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant with low alkoxylation provides strong foaming, while the added nonionic surfactant compensates for reduced soil removal capability, and the co-surfactant binds these components into a synergistic system that achieves both high foaming and effective soil removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the alkoxylation parameter of the anionic surfactant to less than 0.25, which changes the micellar structure and surface activity characteristics. This parameter modification creates a surfactant system that is inherently more foaming-oriented, allowing the formulation to compensate for reduced soil removal by optimizing the ratios and types of additional surfactants included in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional surfactant system is used to achieve effective cleaning, then soil removal is improved, but foaming is reduced creating perception of inadequate cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil removalVSAvoidfoaming

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the sensory perception aspect by ensuring abundant foam generation, which visually signals effective cleaning to users. The foam acts as a visual indicator that compensates for the reduced foaming of conventional high-performance cleaning systems, creating a perception of superior cleaning effectiveness through the visible presence of rich, abundant suds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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 improved foaming and soil removal, maintaining high sudsing profile and easy rinsing, while maintaining effective grease removal and low water usage for rinsing.

Implementation Method 1

liquid hand dishwashing detergent composition comprising from 5% to 50% by weight of the composition of a surfactant system... wherein the composition further comprises from 0.1 to 10% of a mid-chain 1,2-alkanediol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

anionic surfactant, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant... co-surfactant... and nonionic surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEmulsification: Emulsion

Implementation Method 3

surfactant system comprises: anionic surfactant... co-surfactant... and nonionic surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicelle formation: Colloid

Data Source

PatentUS20250115830A1Liquid hand dishwashing detergent composition

Publication Date: 2025.04.10 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

The need for a liquid hand dishwashing detergent composition which provides for effective cleaning, as well as enhanced foaming, is met by formulating the composition with a surfactant system which comprises alkyl sulfated anionic surfactant having little or no alkoxylation, an amphoteric and/or zwitterionic co-surfactant, and nonionic surfactant, in combination with a mid-chain 1,2-alkanediol.