Liquid Detergent Polymer Stability via Alcohol Pre-dissolution

Solution Overview

Problem

Formulating polymers with a polyester terephthalate backbone grafted with anionic groups into liquid laundry detergent compositions results in aggregate formation, affecting stability and aesthetics, and causing issues during manufacturing, such as pipe blockages.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the sequential preparation of two compositions – one with anionic surfactant and water, and another with a polymer and alcohol – followed by their mixing, using specific ratios and solvents like ethylene glycol and 1,2 propanediol, to minimize aggregate formation and create a transparent liquid detergent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a polymer comprising a polyester terephthalate backbone grafted with anionic groups is added to liquid laundry detergent composition, then fabric cleaning benefits are improved, but aggregate formation occurs which affects stability and aesthetics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabric cleaning benefitVSAvoidcomposition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer is pre-dissolved in alcohol to create a clear solution before adding to the detergent composition. This preliminary action prevents aggregate formation during mixing, as the polymer is already in a dissolved state and can be incorporated uniformly without phase separation or visible aggregation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Alcohol serves as an intermediary solvent that facilitates the dissolution of the polymer and its subsequent integration into the aqueous detergent system. The alcohol acts as a bridge, allowing the polymer to transition from a solid state to a dissolved state that can be uniformly distributed in the final composition without forming aggregates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a polymer comprising a polyester terephthalate backbone grafted with anionic groups is added to liquid laundry detergent composition, then fabric cleaning benefits are improved, but aggregate formation occurs which blocks pipes and nozzles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabric cleaning benefitVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer is pre-dissolved in alcohol to create a clear solution before adding to the detergent composition. This preliminary action prevents aggregate formation during mixing, as the polymer is already in a dissolved state and can be incorporated uniformly without phase separation or visible aggregation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Alcohol serves as an intermediary solvent that facilitates the dissolution of the polymer and its subsequent integration into the aqueous detergent system. The alcohol acts as a bridge, allowing the polymer to transition from a solid state to a dissolved state that can be uniformly distributed in the final composition without forming aggregates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a polymer comprising a polyester terephthalate backbone grafted with anionic groups is added to liquid laundry detergent composition, then fabric cleaning benefits are improved, but aggregate formation occurs which negatively affects aesthetics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabric cleaning benefitVSAvoidvisual appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer is pre-dissolved in alcohol to create a clear solution before adding to the detergent composition. This preliminary action prevents aggregate formation during mixing, as the polymer is already in a dissolved state and can be incorporated uniformly without phase separation or visible aggregation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Alcohol serves as an intermediary solvent that facilitates the dissolution of the polymer and its subsequent integration into the aqueous detergent system. The alcohol acts as a bridge, allowing the polymer to transition from a solid state to a dissolved state that can be uniformly distributed in the final composition without forming aggregates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 process effectively reduces aggregate formation, maintaining the cleaning benefits of anionic surfactants while ensuring the liquid detergent's stability and preventing pipe blockages, resulting in a visually appealing and functional product.

Implementation Method 1

Polymers comprising a polyester terephthalate backbone grafted with one or more anionic groups are known to provide certain fabric cleaning benefits when formulated into laundry detergent compositions. Such laundry detergent compositions comprise anionic surfactants which are also required to provide a cleaning benefit.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP3178914B1Liquid laundry detergent composition

Publication Date: 2019.04.24 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

Liquid laundry detergent compositions comprising a polymer comprising a polyester terephthalate backbone grafted with one or more anionic groups.