Water-Soluble Detergent Pod Film for Fast Cold-Wash Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water-soluble unit-dose detergent articles experience delayed dissolution and residue formation due to gelling during initial contact with water, particularly in short and cold temperature cleaning processes, leading to residue deposition on fabrics or washing machines.
Innovation Solution
A water-soluble unit dose detergent article comprising a polyvinyl alcohol polymer blend with specific anionic monomer units and viscosity properties, sealed within multiple compartments, to enhance dissolution and prevent residue formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a water-soluble film comprising polyvinyl alcohol is used to envelop detergent, then the detergent can be released upon contact with water, but gelling occurs during initial dissolution that slows down further dissolution and leads to residue formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the polyvinyl alcohol film by incorporating specific copolymers with carboxylic acid groups (itaconic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid) at controlled concentrations (0.1-10 mol%). This parameter change alters the film's dissolution characteristics, preventing gelling while maintaining water solubility and detergent release functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite polymer material by combining polyvinyl alcohol with copolymers containing carboxylic acid functional groups. This composite structure leverages the water solubility of PVA while the carboxylic acid groups prevent gel formation through electrostatic repulsion and enhanced hydrophilicity, achieving both reliable detergent release and fast dissolution.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If the cleaning process takes place in short and cold temperature cleaning programs, then energy consumption is reduced, but gelling is more acute leading to delayed dissolution and residue deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces copolymers with carboxylic acid groups that remain highly soluble and effective at low temperatures. The ionized carboxylic acid groups at cold temperatures provide strong electrostatic repulsion that prevents gel network formation, enabling fast dissolution and complete detergent release even in cold water washing programs without requiring additional energy input.
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 ensures rapid dissolution and minimizes residue formation, improving cleaning efficiency and reducing the need for additional user steps in short and cold washing programs.
Implementation Method 1
The water-soluble unit dose detergent article comprises a water-soluble film and a detergent composition. The detergent composition is enveloped by the water-soluble film. The water-soluble unit dose detergent article is added to water and the film dissolves releasing the detergent.
Implementation Method 2
The first film comprises a polyvinyl alcohol polymer blend wherein the polyvinyl alcohol polymer blend comprises: i) from 1% to 30%, preferably from 5% to 25%, more preferably from 10% to 20% by weight of the polymer blend of polymer A, wherein polymer A comprises an anionic monomer unit, a vinyl alcohol monomer unit and a vinyl acetate monomer unit, and wherein the anionic monomer unit comprises a monomer derived from the group consisting of itaconic acid, monoalkyl itaconate, dialkyl itaconate, itaconic anhydride, and mixtures thereof
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
Water-soluble unit dose article comprising a fabric care or household care detergent composition and a method of making it.