Dye-Polymer Laundry Formulations for Cotton and Polyester Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dye technologies are ineffective in depositing dyes onto both cotton and polyester fabrics during domestic washing, as they primarily target cellulosic garments and do not efficiently color polyester.
Innovation Solution
A detergent composition containing a dye-polymer with a molecular weight of at least 500, formed by polymerizing an uncharged alkene dye monomer and one or more alkene comonomers, which is capable of depositing onto both cotton and polyester fabrics, along with a surfactant and optional cationic compounds, is used in a method involving treatment with an aqueous solution and optional rinsing and drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If reactive dyes are used to color cellulosic garments, then shading benefit is achieved on cotton, but the dyes do not effectively deposit on polyester fabrics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the dye system by using uncharged dye monomers with specific molecular structures (containing aromatic rings and conjugated systems) that can interact with both cellulosic and polyester fabrics through different mechanisms, enabling universal dyeing performance across fabric types
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite polymer structure by copolymerizing dye monomers with non-dye monomers containing functional groups (carboxylic acid, hydroxyl, amine) that provide both coloration and enhanced affinity for different fabric surfaces, resulting in a multifunctional dye-polymer hybrid material
2Quantity of substance
If charged dye indicators are linked to polymers for coloring water, then coloration is achieved, but the dyes cannot effectively deposit onto fabric surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the charge parameter of the dye molecules by using uncharged dye monomers instead of charged dye indicators, which allows the dyes to interact with fabric surfaces through hydrophobic interactions, pi-pi stacking, and hydrogen bonding rather than electrostatic repulsion, enabling effective deposition
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses dye monomers that are copolymerized into the polymer chain, creating a permanent structural copy of the dye within the polymer matrix rather than using physically associated charged indicators, ensuring stable fabric deposition and color fastness
3Productivity
If existing polymeric dyes are used in laundry formulations, then some shading benefit is provided, but they cannot simultaneously treat both cotton and polyester in domestic wash loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs dye monomers with universal functionality that can interact with both cellulosic and synthetic fabrics through multiple mechanisms (hydrophobic interactions, pi-pi stacking, hydrogen bonding), making the dye-polymer composition universally applicable to mixed fabric loads without requiring separate treatment processes
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-polymer composition effectively deposits onto both cotton and polyester fabrics, providing a blue or violet hue and enhancing soil removal and fabric feel, while being soluble in surfactant solutions and suitable for granular detergent formulations.
Implementation Method 1
The dye-polymer composition effectively deposits onto both cotton and polyester fabrics
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a laundry treatment composition comprising from 2 to 70 wt % of a surfactant and from 0.0001 to 10 wt% of a dye-polymer of molecular weight of at least 500, wherein the dye-polymer is obtainable by polymerisation of : (a) a dye monomer, which is an uncharged alkene covalently bound to a dye, (b) one or more further alkene comonomer(s). A domestic method of treating a textile is also claimed.