Unit Dose Detergent Pack Stability via Non-Aqueous Solvents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unit dose detergent packs face challenges in maintaining firmness and preventing leakage or breakage due to high water content, and in reducing fatty acid usage while maintaining de-foaming and stability qualities.
Innovation Solution
A detergent composition with a fatty acid content of 0.1-3 wt.%, silicone content of 0.005-0.2 wt.%, and non-aqueous solvents such as polyethylene glycol, glycol ether, or poloxamer in 5-25 wt.% is used, along with water in 8-25 wt.%, to enhance de-foaming performance and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water content in detergent composition is increased, then de-foaming performance and stability are improved, but pack firmness decreases and leakage or breakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing non-aqueous solvents (PEG, glycol ether, poloxamer, reverse poloxamer) to replace part of the water content. This parameter change allows maintaining the necessary stability and de-foaming performance while reducing overall water content to preserve pack firmness and prevent leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite detergent composition combining aqueous and non-aqueous components. The composite system includes surfactants, fatty acids, silicones, and non-aqueous solvents in specific proportions, achieving both stability and firmness through synergistic interactions between different material phases.
2Quantity of substance
If fatty acid content is reduced, then cost is decreased, but de-foaming quality and pack stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of fatty acids to a specific range (0.1-3 wt.%) and compensates for reduced de-foaming quality by adjusting other composition parameters, particularly increasing non-aqueous solvent content (5-25 wt.%) and optimizing silicone content (0.005-0.2 wt.%), thereby maintaining overall de-foaming performance with lower fatty acid usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces non-aqueous solvents as intermediary substances that mediate between the reduced fatty acid content and the required de-foaming performance. These solvents work synergistically with silicones and other components to maintain stability and de-foaming quality despite lower fatty acid levels.
3Strength
If water content is limited to low levels, then pack firmness and leakage prevention are improved, but de-foaming performance and stability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the solvent system parameters by incorporating non-aqueous solvents (PEG 5-25 wt.%, glycol ether, poloxamer, reverse poloxamer) that provide the necessary stability and de-foaming properties without the plasticizing effects of high water content, thereby maintaining pack firmness while achieving required performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a composite detergent formulation combining limited water (8-25 wt.%) with non-aqueous solvents, surfactants, fatty acids, and silicones. This composite material system achieves the dual objective of maintaining pack firmness through low water content while ensuring stability and de-foaming performance through the synergistic composite composition.
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 effectively reduces fatty acid content while maintaining pack firmness and de-foaming performance, ensuring stability and preventing leakage, as demonstrated by the desired foam height to foam break ratio and turbidity results.
Implementation Method 1
A silicone is present in an amount of from about 0.005 wt. % to about 0.2 wt. % of the detergent composition
Implementation Method 2
One or more non-aqueous solvents is selected from the group of polyethylene glycol (PEG), glycol ether, poloxamer, and reverse poloxamer. The one or more non-aqueous solvents is present in an amount of from about 5 wt. % to about 25 wt. % of the detergent composition
Implementation Method 3
The detergent in unit dose detergent packs is usually contained within a water-soluble or water-dispersible film
Implementation Method 4
The detergent in unit dose detergent packs is usually contained within a water-soluble or water-dispersible film
Data Source
AI summary
A detergent composition and a unit dose detergent pack are provided. In one example, the detergent composition includes a surfactant. A fatty acid is present in an amount of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 3 wt. % of the detergent composition. A silicone is present in an amount of from about 0.005 wt. % to about 0.2 wt. % of the detergent composition. One or more non-aqueous solvents is selected from the group of polyethylene glycol (PEG), glycol ether, poloxamer, and reverse poloxamer. The one or more non-aqueous solvents is present in an amount of from about 5 wt. % to about 25 wt. % of the detergent composition.