Detergent Polymer Compositions for Anti-Greying and Storage Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry detergents face challenges in removing various types of soilings, including pigments, fatty soils, and dyestuffs, and suffer from storage stability issues, particularly in liquid formulations, with existing anti-greying agents not providing sufficient performance.
Innovation Solution
Inventive compositions containing polymers with specific molecular structures and enzymes, such as lipases and proteases, are formulated to enhance soil removal and storage stability, utilizing polymers with defined molecular weights, functional groups, and block copolymer structures, along with surfactants to improve anti-greying performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid laundry detergent formulations are used, then ease of operation and cleaning effectiveness are improved, but storage stability deteriorates due to enzyme deactivation and ingredient incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lipase enzyme as an intermediary component that mediates between the detergent formulation and fatty soil stains. The lipase specifically targets and breaks down triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol, enabling effective fatty soil removal while maintaining compatibility with other detergent ingredients including surfactants and builders, thus preserving storage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters including enzyme concentration (0.1-5% w/w), pH range (7-11), and temperature conditions (20-60°C) to achieve both improved cleaning performance and enhanced storage stability. The formulation adjusts the balance between enzymatic activity and ingredient stability through controlled parameter selection.
2Productivity
If conventional polymers and surfactants are used, then general cleaning performance is improved, but anti-greying performance deteriorates due to insufficient prevention of soil redeposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite detergent formulation combining lipase enzyme, surfactants (anionic, nonionic, amphoteric), polymers, and builders in specific proportions. This composite system provides synergistic effects where the lipase breaks down fatty stains, surfactants emulsify and remove particles, and polymers prevent redeposition, collectively achieving superior anti-greying performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The detergent composition is designed with multi-functional ingredients that perform multiple roles: lipase provides enzymatic breakdown of fats, surfactants provide both cleaning and anti-redeposition properties, and polymers contribute to soil suspension and fabric protection. This multi-functionality addresses both cleaning performance and anti-greying requirements simultaneously.
3Productivity
If lipase is added to remove fatty soil, then fat removal performance is improved, but compatibility with builders and other detergent ingredients deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the pH range to 7-11, which is compatible with both lipase enzymatic activity and the performance of common detergent builders such as phosphates, carbonates, and silicates. The temperature range of 20-60°C is selected to maintain enzyme stability while ensuring compatibility with other formulation ingredients.
Solution Approach 2:
The lipase enzyme acts as a specialized intermediary that selectively targets triglyceride bonds in fatty stains without interfering with the chemical equilibria of builders or the surfactant micelle formation. This selective action maintains overall formulation compatibility while achieving effective fat removal.
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 compositions effectively reduce greying of washed fabrics and enhance storage stability by improving soil suspension and redeposition prevention, while maintaining enzymatic activity during storage.
Implementation Method 1
polymer (A) with an average molecular weight Mw of at least 1,500 g/mol comprising, as repeating units, structural units according to general formula (I)
Implementation Method 2
reduces greying of a washed fabric... improving soil suspension and redeposition prevention
Implementation Method 3
use a lipase to support fat removal... (B) at least one lipase (B)
Implementation Method 4
numerous suggestions for removal have been made - polymers, enzymes, surfactants
Data Source
AI summary
Composition comprising (A) at least one polymer with an average molecular weight Mw of at least 1,500 g/mol comprising, as repeating units, structural units according to general formula (I) wherein Z1 are same or different and selected from hydrogen and methyl, R1 are same or different and selected from C2-C6-alkyl, C6-aryl and C5-heteroaryl, each substituted with at least one acidic group selected from COOH groups and SO3H groups and their respective alkali metal salts, and, optionally, with hydroxy, C1-C4-alkyl or -NR2aR2b, R2a and R2b are same or different and selected from H, C1-C4-alkyl, or NR2aR2b together form a C5-C6-cycloalkylenamino or a 1 -imidazole group, n is selected from 3 to 100, X1 is selected from O and N-R3, with R3 being selected from hydrogen and methyl, A1 are same or different and selected from C2-C6-alkylene and (AO)y1, with AO being selected from ethylene oxide and propylene oxide and combinations thereof, and y1 being from 2 to 200. Furthermore polymers (A) and a process to make such polymers (A).