Laundry Detergent Surfactant System for PCR Container Compatibility
Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry liquid compositions using post-consumer recycled (PCR) containers face issues with leachable materials, which can reduce detergency and change the colloid structure of the detergent, leading to malodorous and hydrophobic contaminants.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a surfactant with a C18 alkyl chain, such as methyl ester ethoxylate, and using containers made from at least 50% wt. post-consumer recycled resin (PCR) comprising polyolefin or polyester, which helps in solubilizing leachable materials and maintaining detergency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If containers made from post-consumer recycled resin (PCR) are used, then environmental sustainability is improved, but leachable materials transfer into the composition causing detergency loss and colloid structure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific surfactant system (C12-C18 alkyl ether sulphate and C16-C18 alcohol ethoxylate) as an intermediary that preferentially interacts with leachable materials from PCR containers, preventing these materials from interfering with the detergent's colloid structure and detergency mechanisms. This mediator approach allows the use of PCR containers while maintaining performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for surfactant concentrations (0.5-10% w/w for C12-C18 alkyl ether sulphate, 0.1-5% w/w for C16-C18 alcohol ethoxylate) and fragrance content (0.1-5% w/w) to optimize the balance between solubilizing leachable materials and maintaining effective detergency. These parameter controls ensure reliable performance despite PCR container variability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If containers made from post-consumer recycled resin (PCR) are used, then environmental sustainability is improved, but malodorous and hydrophobic contaminants are released into the composition
Solution Approach 1:
The surfactant system acts as a mediator that binds to hydrophobic leachable materials and malodorous contaminants from PCR containers, solubilizing them in the aqueous detergent base and preventing their transfer to laundry fabrics during washing. This protects the end-use application from contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls fragrance content within 0.1-5% w/w to compensate for potential odor transfer from PCR containers while maintaining overall product acceptability. The specific surfactant concentrations are optimized to ensure complete solubilization of hydrophobic contaminants.
3Stability of the object's composition
If leachable materials are solubilised by active detergent compounds, then container compatibility is improved, but detergency is reduced as actives are consumed solubilising contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dual-surfactant system where C12-C18 alkyl ether sulphate and C16-C18 alcohol ethoxylate work synergistically as intermediaries to bind and solubilize leachable materials. This dedicated binding function prevents these materials from disrupting the main detergency mechanisms, preserving active compound effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The detergent composition employs a composite surfactant system combining ionic (alkyl ether sulphate) and non-ionic (alcohol ethoxylate) surfactants with complementary properties. This composite approach provides both container compatibility through leachable material binding and maintains detergency through synergistic surfactant action on soil 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 use of longer chain surfactants like C18 alkyl-containing surfactants reduces leaching from PCR containers, maintaining the detergency and colloid stability of the laundry detergent composition.
Implementation Method 1
The leachable materials are typically hydrophobic and therefore must be solubilised by the active detergent compounds in the laundry liquid composition
Implementation Method 2
a surfactant, said surfactant comprising C18 alkyl-containing anionic or non-ionic surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry liquid composition in a container, the composition comprising a surfactant, said surfactant comprising C18 alkyl-containing anionic or non-ionic surfactant, a free fragrance and wherein the container comprises at least 50% wt. post-consumer recycled resin (PCR) comprising polyolefin or polyester.