Reactive Dye-Polymer Composition for Selective Cotton Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry formulations struggle with the deposition of reactive dyes on cotton and other fabrics, leading to unacceptably large dye deposition on polyester, cotton, nylon, and elastane after multiple washes, and lack anti-soiling benefits at effective levels.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the reaction of a polymer with reactive dyes to form dye-polymers, specifically using water-soluble polyester polymers with phenyl dicarboxylate, oxyalkyleneoxy, and polyoxyalkyleneoxy units, which are then used in a laundry treatment composition with surfactants to achieve effective dye deposition and anti-soiling benefits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If reactive dyes are used to treat cotton fabrics, then dye deposition on cotton is improved, but unwanted deposition on polyester, nylon, and elastane increases after multiple washes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a polymer with distinct functional segments: hydrophilic blocks for water solubility and dye interaction, hydrophobic blocks for affinity to cotton cellulose, and reactive groups for covalent bonding. This segmented structure allows the dye-polymer to selectively deposit on cotton while minimizing deposition on synthetic fabrics, resolving the contradiction between effective cotton dyeing and avoiding unwanted deposition on other materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials by combining polyester polymer chains with reactive dye molecules to form a hybrid dye-polymer conjugate. This composite structure integrates the water solubility and processability of polymers with the specific staining properties of reactive dyes, enabling controlled deposition on cotton while reducing harmful effects on synthetic fabrics through multiple washes.
2Reliability
If polymer concentrations are increased to achieve anti-soiling benefits, then soil release performance improves, but the cost and potential harmful effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the polymer concentration to surprisingly low levels (0.0001 to 20.0 wt%, preferably 0.01 to 5 wt%) while achieving effective anti-soiling benefits. This is made possible by modifying the chemical parameters of the polymer, specifically incorporating reactive groups that covalently bond to cotton and hydrophobic segments that provide soil release functionality, thereby reducing the concentration needed and minimizing harmful effects.
3Reliability
If conventional PET polymers are used for soil release, then anti-soiling properties are achieved, but effective anti-soiling benefits are not observed at low concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of conventional PET polymers by incorporating oxyalkyleneoxy and polyoxyalkyleneoxy comonomers along with reactive groups. These modifications enhance the polymer's ability to provide anti-soiling benefits at low concentrations by improving water solubility, cotton affinity, and soil release properties, thereby reducing the quantity of substance needed from conventional higher levels to the optimized range of 0.0001 to 20.0 wt%.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms conventional PET into a composite material by copolymerizing with oxyalkyleneoxy and polyoxyalkyleneoxy units. This creates a multi-functional polymer that combines the soil release properties of PET with the water solubility and cotton affinity of polyether segments, enabling effective anti-soiling performance at lower concentrations than conventional PET alone.
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 dye-polymers deposit well on cotton in the first wash with minimal deposition on other fabrics and provide significant anti-soiling benefits at low concentrations, maintaining effectiveness through multiple washes.
Implementation Method 1
reacting a polymer with a reactive dye to form the dye-polymer
Implementation Method 2
deposit well to cotton fabrics in a first wash
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides dye polymers for use in laundry applications.