Dual-Liquid Dishwashing Detergent pH Split for Bleachable Stains

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwashing detergents face challenges in achieving effective cleaning performance, especially on bleachable stains, in low-temperature cycles with reduced water consumption, due to limitations in the use of new ingredients and potential adverse effects from strong alkaline agents and bleaching agents.

Innovation Solution

A dishwashing detergent formulation that includes separate liquid cleaning agents A and B, containing builders such as zeolites, silicates, phosphates, and enzymes, which enhance cleaning performance on bleachable stains with reduced bleaching agent content, using crystalline layered silicates and amorphous sodium silicates to improve cleaning efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If strongly alkaline cleaning agents are used to improve cleaning performance, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but damage to glass silicate structure occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidglass damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the cleaning agent by incorporating specific builder substances (zeolites, silicates, carbonates, organic cobuilders, and phosphates) that provide alkalinity and cleaning effectiveness while being less damaging to glass silicate structures compared to traditional strong alkaline agents. This parameter change allows maintaining cleaning performance while reducing harmful effects on glassware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If bleaching agents are added to improve cleaning of bleachable stains, then cleaning performance on stains is improved, but irritating effect on consumers increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestain cleaning performanceVSAvoidirritating effect
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite formulation combining multiple builder substances (zeolites, silicates, carbonates, organic cobuilders, and phosphates) that work synergistically to enhance stain removal capability while reducing the need for high concentrations of harsh bleaching agents. This composite approach allows achieving effective stain cleaning with lower irritant levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If new ingredients are added to improve cleaning performance in low-temperature cycles, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but ingredient availability and formulation complexity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performance in low-temperature cyclesVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selects builder substances that perform multiple functions: zeolites and silicates provide water softening, alkalinity, and stain removal; carbonates contribute to pH control and cleaning; organic cobuilders enhance enzyme activity and provide water softening; phosphates offer water softening and corrosion inhibition. This multi-functionality allows effective low-temperature cleaning without requiring numerous specialized ingredients, thus managing formulation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 achieves improved cleaning performance on bleachable stains, such as those from tea or vegetable dyes, in low-temperature and low-water cycles, while minimizing the use of bleaching agents and reducing potential irritants, thereby providing effective stain removal with enhanced safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The liquid cleaning agents A and B, which are present separately from one another in the dishwashing detergents according to the invention, contain builders in addition to other washing- or cleaning-active ingredients. The builders include, in particular, the zeolites, silicates, carbonates, organic cobuilders and—where there are no ecological prejudices against their use—also the phosphates.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComplexation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

Particular preference is given to using crystalline layered silicates of the general formula NaMSixO2x+1 yH2O, in which M represents sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 22, preferably from 1.9 to 4, particularly preferred values for x being 2.3 or 4, and y is a number from 0 to 33, preferably from 0 to 20.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater softening: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 3

The cleaning agent A of the dishwashing detergents according to the invention contains a combination of protease and amylase preparations as a further component in order to increase the cleaning performance.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzymatic decomposition: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentEP1917342B8Detergents
Publication Date: 2013.05.15 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

Disclosed are combination products comprising a packaging means and two separate liquid detergents A and B located in said packaging means. Detergent A contains 10 to 75 percent by weight of detergent builder/s, 0.1 to 10 percent by weight of enzymes, and 24.9 to 89.9 percent of water while detergent B contains 10 to 75 percent by weight of detergent builder/s and 25 to 90 percent by weight of water. The inventive combination products are characterized in that liquid detergent A has a pH value (20°C) ranging from 6 to 9 while liquid detergent B has a pH value (20°C) ranging from 9 to 14. Neither detergent A nor detergent B contains more than two percent by weight of a bleaching agent. Compared to conventional dishwashing agents, the inventive combination products are characterized by improved cleaning power, especially on bleachable dirt.