Unit Dose Detergent Packs with Anti-Efflorescence Solvent Formulations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unit dose packs with high solvent loadings tend to exhibit efflorescence, leading to a grainy appearance and feel, which is negatively perceived by consumers, while also desiring reduced environmental impact and favorable haptics, viscosity, and water activity.

Innovation Solution

A unit dose pack formulation incorporating specific concentrations of glycol ether, glycerin, and polyethylene glycol within the wash composition, encapsulated in a water-soluble film, to reduce efflorescence and maintain stability and haptics, with the wash composition including a glycol ether in 2-15 weight percent, glycerin in 15-26 weight percent, and polyethylene glycol in 0-12 weight percent, based on the total weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If increased solvent loadings are used in the wash composition, then production costs are reduced, but efflorescence increases causing a grainy appearance and feel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidefflorescence

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the solvent system by specifying precise ranges for glycol ether (2-15 wt%), glycerin (15-26 wt%), and polyethylene glycol (0-12 wt%). This parameter optimization reduces efflorescence while maintaining high solvent loading, thereby resolving the contradiction between production cost and efflorescence control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite solvent system combining multiple components (glycol ether, glycerin, and polyethylene glycol) rather than a single solvent. This composite approach leverages the synergistic properties of each component to reduce efflorescence while maintaining cost-effectiveness, addressing both the harmful efflorescence and the cost benefit of high solvent loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If high solvent loadings are used in the wash composition, then production costs are reduced, but the film appears and feels grainy due to efflorescence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidfilm surface texture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

By optimizing the concentration parameters of the solvent components within specific ranges, the patent prevents efflorescence that would cause a grainy film surface. This allows high solvent loading to be maintained without compromising film appearance or texture, thus resolving the contradiction between cost and surface quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of high solvent loading (which causes efflorescence and grainy texture) into a benefit by carefully selecting and balancing the specific solvent components. The optimized formulation allows the high solvent content to remain beneficial for cost reduction while preventing the harmful efflorescence effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Shape

If the wash composition is formulated with specific solvent components to reduce efflorescence, then film appearance and haptics are improved, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilm surface textureVSAvoidformulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies the formulation complexity by establishing clear, practical parameter ranges for the solvent components rather than requiring complex interactions. The specified ranges (glycol ether: 2-15 wt%, glycerin: 15-26 wt%, polyethylene glycol: 0-12 wt%) provide straightforward formulation guidance that achieves the desired film texture without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter 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 formulation achieves reduced efflorescence, improved haptics, and stable film performance, ensuring a visually appealing and effective cleaning product with reduced environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

some components of the wash composition tend to effloresce in the film, where efflorescence is the migration of a salt or other solid to the surface of a solid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEfflorescence: Efflorescence

Implementation Method 2

the wash composition is encapsulated within a film made of a water soluble film

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS11279906B2Unit dose detergent packs with high solvent anti-efflorescence formulations

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

Unit dose packs and methods for producing the same are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a unit dose pack includes a film and a wash composition encapsulated within the film. The wash composition includes a glycol ether in an amount of from about 2 to about 15 weight percent, glycerin in an amount of from about 15 to about 26 weight percent, and polyethylene glycol in an amount of from about 0 to about 12 weight percent, all based on a total weight of the wash composition. A sum of the amounts of the glycol ether, the glycerin, and the polyethylene glycol is from about 26 to about 40 weight percent, based on the total weight of the wash composition.