Laundry Detergent Sheet with Cellulase and Stiffening Agent

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a growing demand for compact, easy-to-handle, and sustainable laundry detergents that offer improved dosing and cleaning performance compared to conventional products, particularly with the rise of home delivery services.

Innovation Solution

A method for manufacturing a water-soluble laundry detergent sheet using a liquid composition containing a textile stiffening agent, surfactant, water-soluble polymer, cellulase, and optional perfume and adjunct detergent ingredients, which is applied and dried to form a sheet that maintains textile stiffness and cleaning efficacy even after cellulase treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cellulase is used to remove loose fiber ends and pills from textiles, then cleaning performance is improved, but textile stiffness and strength are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidtextile stiffness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the concentration and activity of cellulase enzymes in the detergent sheet, optimizing the balance between enzymatic cleaning capability and textile strength preservation. By adjusting enzyme parameters (concentration, activity level, and formulation conditions), the patent achieves effective pill removal while maintaining textile stiffness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining cellulase enzymes with other detergent components (surfactants, polymers, and stabilizers) in a formulated sheet structure. This composite approach allows the enzymes to work synergistically with other ingredients to achieve both cleaning effectiveness and textile strength maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If laundry detergent is formulated as a compact sheet, then ease of handling and dosing is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handlingVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by formulating the detergent as individual unit sheets rather than bulk liquid or powder. Each sheet is a self-contained dose that can be easily handled and placed in washing machines, eliminating the need for complex dosing mechanisms while maintaining compact storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transitions in the formulation, creating a sheet structure that transitions from a solid, stable form during storage to a dissolving state during use. This phase change approach simplifies manufacturing by allowing the detergent to be formed as a stable sheet that easily dissolves in water during the washing cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

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 laundry detergent sheet provides improved textile stiffness, tensile strength, stability, and elasticity while maintaining effective cleaning performance, making it suitable for use in automatic washing machines and offering a convenient unit dose form.

Implementation Method 1

at least one cellulase, which is used to remove undesired loose fiber ends and pills of the textiles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCellulase: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

at least one textile stiffening agent, which is used to provide textiles stiffness, tensile strength, stability, and elasticity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTextile stiffening agent:

Implementation Method 3

at least one water-soluble polymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater-soluble polymer:

Implementation Method 4

at least one surfactant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS12312564B2Soluble laundry detergent sheets with textile stiffening agent and cellulase
Publication Date: 2025.05.27 HENKEL KGAA
  • US12312564B2 patent drawing
  • US12312564B2 patent drawing
  • US12312564B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a water-soluble laundry detergent sheet from a liquid composition including the following components: (a) at least one textile stiffening agent, (b) at least one surfactant, (c) at least one water-soluble polymer, (d) at least one cellulase, (e) optionally at least one perfume component, and (f) optionally at least one adjunct detergent ingredient. Also encompassed are the water-soluble laundry detergent sheets obtainable by the method and the use thereof for cleaning textiles and in methods for cleaning textiles.