Detergent Pack Liquid Composition Color Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid detergent compositions for unit dose detergent packs face color stability issues due to yellowing over time, particularly in colorless compositions, which is exacerbated by the use of sulfite or bisulfite that also causes efflorescence on the water-soluble film.
Innovation Solution
A liquid detergent composition comprising an alkanolamine, an acid, a copolymer formed from diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC) and alkali metal sulfite or bisulfite, where the copolymer and sulfite or bisulfite interact with the alkanolamine and acid to reduce discoloration and efflorescence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If sulfite or bisulfite salts are used to slow down discoloration of the detergent composition, then color stability is improved, but efflorescence occurs on the surface of the water-soluble film
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by introducing a copolymer with specific functional groups that can interact with sulfite/bisulfite to modify their behavior. The copolymer contains quaternary ammonium groups and carboxyl groups that create a synergistic effect with sulfite/bisulfite, allowing lower concentrations to be used while maintaining color stability and reducing efflorescence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system by combining the copolymer (formed from DADMAC and acrylic acid monomers) with sulfite or bisulfite salts. This composite approach allows the copolymer to enhance the effectiveness of sulfite/bisulfite for color stability while simultaneously reducing their harmful efflorescence effects on the water-soluble film.
2Ease of manufacture
If the detergent composition is kept colorless to make discoloration more obvious, then consumer perception is maintained, but discoloration becomes more noticeable over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating the copolymer-sulfite/bisulfite system, which actively prevents discoloration through chemical interaction. This allows the detergent to remain colorless while maintaining stability, as the copolymer complex prevents oxidation and degradation reactions that cause yellowing.
3Ease of operation
If unit dose packs are designed with water-soluble film, then convenience and dissolution are improved, but efflorescence on the film surface occurs over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the concentration and interaction parameters of sulfite/bisulfite with the copolymer, creating a system that requires lower levels of sulfite/bisulfite to achieve color stability. This reduction in concentration minimizes the efflorescence tendency while preserving the water-soluble film's dissolution properties and convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The copolymer acts as an intermediary between sulfite/bisulfite and the water-soluble film, modulating the interaction to reduce efflorescence. The copolymer's functional groups bind with sulfite/bisulfite in a way that prevents their harmful interaction with the film while maintaining their color-protection function.
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 exhibits improved color stability, as evidenced by increased brightness at 457 nm after aging, and reduces efflorescence on the water-soluble film, maintaining stability and performance over extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
the copolymer and the alkali metal sulfite or bisulfite interact with at least one of the alkanolamine and the acid to reduce discoloration of the liquid detergent composition
Implementation Method 2
a pouch formed from a water-soluble film and a liquid detergent composition releasably disposed within the pouch
Data Source
AI summary
A unit dose detergent pack is disclosed. The unit dose detergent pack includes a pouch formed from a water-soluble film and a liquid detergent composition releasably disposed within the pouch. The liquid detergent composition includes an alkanolamine, an acid, a copolymer formed from first and second monomers with the first monomer being diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC), and an alkali metal sulfite or bisulfite. The copolymer and the alkali metal sulfite or bisulfite interact with at least one of the alkanolamine and the acid to reduce discoloration of the liquid detergent composition.