Laundry Detergent Particles with Segmented Polymer and AES Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry detergent powders face challenges in achieving excellent cleaning performance and clear wash liquor with low turbidity, as existing compositions often result in poor dissolution and high turbidity when contacted with water.
Innovation Solution
A solid free-flowing particulate laundry detergent composition comprising specific ratios of polymer particles and AES particles, optimized in terms of monomer composition and ethoxylation distribution, which improves cleaning performance and clarity of the wash liquor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polymer particles and surfactant particles are incorporated into laundry detergent powder to improve cleaning performance, then cleaning performance is improved, but dissolution and wash liquor clarity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent composition is divided into distinct particle types (polymer particles and surfactant particles) with specific size ranges (10-500 micrometers). This segmentation allows each particle type to maintain its functional properties while controlling overall dissolution behavior and wash liquor clarity through size distribution control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise compositional parameters for polymer particles (copolymer content, monomer ratios including carboxyl groups, sulfonate moieties, and ether bond-containing monomers) and surfactant particles (AES content, ethoxylated alkyl sulphate composition). These parameter controls optimize both cleaning performance and dissolution characteristics to reduce turbidity.
2Reliability
If polymer and surfactant ingredients are added to achieve excellent cleaning performance, then cleaning efficacy is improved, but dissolution upon contact with water deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines specific compositional parameters including polymer particle composition (copolymer with carboxyl groups, sulfonate moieties, and ether bond-containing monomers in defined ratios) and surfactant particle composition (AES with specific ethoxylated alkyl sulphate content). These parameter optimizations balance cleaning efficacy with dissolution performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The detergent composition combines polymer particles and surfactant particles into a composite formulation where each component contributes specific functional properties. The composite structure allows synergistic effects that improve both cleaning performance and dissolution characteristics compared to individual ingredients.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a solid free-flowing particulate laundry detergent composition comprising: (a) from 1.1wt% to 15wt% polymer particle comprising: (i) from 70wt% to 90wt% co-polymer, wherein the co-polymer comprises: (i.i) from 50 to less than 98 wt% structural units derived from one or more monomers comprising carboxyl groups; (i.ii) from 1 to less than 49 wt% structural units derived from one or more monomers comprising sulfonate moieties; and (i.iii) from 1 to 49 wt% structural units derived from one or more types of monomers selected from ether bond-containing monomers represented by formulas (I) and (II): wherein in formula (I), R0 represents a hydrogen atom or CH3 group, R represents a CH2 group, CH2CH2 group or single bond, X represents a number 0-5 provided X represents a number 1-5 when R is a single bond, and R1 is a hydrogen atom or C1 to C20 organic group; wherein in formula (II), R0 represents a hydrogen atom or CH3 group, R represents a CH2 group, CH2CH2 group or single bond, X represents a number 0-5, and R1 is a hydrogen atom or C1 to C20 organic group; and (ii) from 10wt% to 30wt% salt, wherein the salt is selected from sulphate salt and/or carbonate salt; and (b) from 0.5wt% to 20wt% AES particle comprising: (i) from 40wt% to 60wt% partially ethoxylated alkyl sulphate anionic detersive surfactant, wherein the partially ethoxylated alkyl sulphate anionic detersive surfactant has a molar average degree of ethoxylation of from 0.8 to 1.2, and wherein the partially ethoxylated alkyl sulphate anionic detersive surfactant has a molar ethoxylation distribution such that: (i.i) from 40wt% to 50wt% is unethoxylated, having a degree of ethoxylation of 0; (i.ii) from 20wt% to 30wt% has a degree of ethoxylation of 1; (i.iii) from 20wt% to 40wt% has a degree of ethoxylation of 2 or greater; (ii) from 20wt% to 50wt% salt, wherein the salt is selected from sulphate salt and/or carbonate salt; and (iii) from 10wt% to 30wt% silica.