Dual Liquid Cleaning Agents for Bleachable Stain Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashing detergents face challenges in achieving effective cleaning performance, especially in low-temperature cycles and low-water consumption scenarios, due to limitations in the use of new ingredients and the need for improved cleaning agents that can efficiently remove bleachable stains like tea stains on hard surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A combination product comprising two separate liquid cleaning agents A and B, with specific compositions and pH differences, including builders like crystalline layered silicates and enzymes, packaged together to enhance cleaning performance in machine dishwashing, particularly for bleachable stains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If new ingredients such as more effective surfactants, polymers or bleaches are added to improve cleaning performance, then cleaning performance is improved, but the amount of ingredients used per cleaning cycle increases which raises ecological and economic concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning agent is divided into two separate liquid cleaning agents A and B with different compositions and functions. Agent A contains enzymes and builders without bleach, while agent B contains bleach and builders. This segmentation allows each agent to be optimized for specific cleaning tasks, improving overall cleaning performance while maintaining controlled ingredient usage per cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes pH difference (at least two units) between cleaning agent A and B as a key parameter change. This pH differentiation enables the agents to work synergistically under different conditions, with agent A optimized for enzyme activity at lower pH and agent B for bleach effectiveness at higher pH, thereby enhancing cleaning performance without increasing total ingredient quantity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the cleaning agent is designed for low-temperature cleaning cycles to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but cleaning performance on bleachable stains deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-agent system prepares the cleaning environment in advance by having agent A (with enzymes and builders) initially break down organic soils and prepare stains for bleaching. This preliminary enzymatic action at low temperature creates conditions that enable subsequent bleach effectiveness, allowing low-temperature cycles to achieve bleachable stain removal that would normally require high temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite cleaning system combining two liquid agents with complementary compositions. Agent A provides enzymatic cleaning power optimized for low temperatures, while agent B provides bleach functionality. The combination creates a synergistic effect where the composite system achieves both low-energy operation and effective bleachable stain removal that neither agent could achieve alone.
3Reliability
If a single liquid cleaning agent contains both enzymes and bleach to improve cleaning performance, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the stability and compatibility of the cleaning agent deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is segmented into two separate liquid agents A and B, preventing direct mixing of enzymes and bleach that would cause instability. Each agent maintains its own stable composition - agent A with enzymes and builders, agent B with bleach and builders - while both are required for optimal cleaning performance. This segmentation resolves the stability issue while preserving cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cleaning agent is formulated with local quality optimized for its specific function and stability requirements. Agent A is formulated with pH and composition optimized for enzyme stability and activity, while agent B is formulated with pH and composition optimized for bleach stability and effectiveness. This localized optimization allows each agent to be stable in its own formulation while the combination provides comprehensive cleaning effectiveness.
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 combination product demonstrates improved cleaning performance on bleachable stains, including tea stains, even in low-temperature and low-water conditions, by leveraging the synergistic effects of builders and enzymes, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional detergents.
Implementation Method 1
The builders include, in particular, the zeolites, silicates, carbonates, organic cobuilders
Implementation Method 2
0.1 to 10% by weight protease(s)
Implementation Method 3
from 0.1% to 15% by weight of bleach
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a combination product comprising a packaging means and two liquid washing or cleaning agents A and B of composition A, which are located in said packaging means while being separated from one another therein. Composition A consists of: 10 to 75 % by weight of builder(s); 0.1 to 10 % by weight of enzyme(s); 24.9 to 89.9 % by weight of water, and composition B consists of: 10 to 74.9 % by weight of builder(s); 25 to 89.9 % by weight of water, and; 0.1 to 15 % by weight of bleaching agent. The invention is characterized in that the liquid cleaning agent A has a pH value (20 °C) ranging from 6 to 9 and is characterized by having an improved cleaning efficiency compared to that of conventional solid or liquid dishwashing cleaning agents.