Water-Soluble Detergent Sheets for Long-Lasting Laundry Fragrance

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for laundry detergents that are easy to handle, sustainable, compact, and provide long-lasting scent impression with reduced packaging, while maintaining effective cleaning properties.

Innovation Solution

A method for manufacturing a water-soluble laundry detergent sheet comprising pro-fragrance compounds and zinc diricinoleate, along with surfactants, water-soluble polymers, and optional washing boosters and perfume components, applied as a layer and dried to form a sheet that can be cut and packaged.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional laundry detergents are used, then effective cleaning properties are achieved, but package size is large and handling is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of handlingVSAvoidpackage size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The detergent is divided into individual unit-dose sheets instead of bulk liquid or powder containers. Each sheet is a self-contained unit that can be easily handled and dosed individually, eliminating the need for large packages while maintaining effective cleaning properties through concentrated detergent formulation in each sheet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detergent is transformed from liquid or powder form into a solid sheet form with controlled water content (5-20% water). This parameter change enables compact packaging while maintaining solubility and cleaning effectiveness. The sheet format allows reduced package size while keeping the detergent active ingredients concentrated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If reduced package size is implemented, then compactness and ease of handling are improved, but scent longevity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackage sizeVSAvoidscent longevity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Pro-fragrance compounds are incorporated into the detergent sheet formulation during manufacturing, before the sheet is used. These compounds are designed to be released gradually during the washing process and continue to provide scent impression on washed textiles for extended periods. The preliminary incorporation ensures that scent longevity is maintained despite the reduced package size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The detergent sheet is formulated as a composite material containing surfactants, water-soluble polymers, pro-fragrance compounds, and zinc diricinoleate. This composite formulation allows the sheet to provide both effective cleaning and long-lasting scent impression in a compact form factor, resolving the contradiction between reduced package size and scent longevity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Duration of action of moving object

If pro-fragrance compounds and zinc diricinoleate are added, then scent impression and malodor prevention are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescent impression durationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pro-fragrance compounds and zinc diricinoleate are merged into the detergent sheet formulation during the same manufacturing process as the surfactants and water-soluble polymers. This combining approach integrates multiple functional components (cleaning and scenting) into a single manufacturing process, avoiding the need for separate steps and reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the additional ingredients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 detergent sheet provides long-lasting scent perception and effective cleaning, with the pro-fragrance compounds and zinc diricinoleate preventing malodor, and is suitable for use in automatic washing machines.

Implementation Method 1

at least one surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

applying the composition of step (i) onto a surface such that it forms a layer on said surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWetting: Wetting

Implementation Method 3

the at least one pro-fragrance compound and/or zinc diricinoleate contained in the laundry detergent sheet provides washed textiles with a long-lasting scent impression

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

provides washed textiles with a long-lasting scent impression, in particular the perception of the scent impression as fresh, and prevents malodor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 5

at least one water-soluble polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolubility: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS12473519B2Soluble laundry detergent sheets with pro-fragrance compounds

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a water-soluble laundry detergent sheet from a liquid composition including the following components: (a) at least one pro-fragrance compound and/or zinc diricinoleate, (b) at least one surfactant, (c) at least one water-soluble polymer, (d) optionally at least one washing booster, (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.