Efficient surfactant system on plastic and all types of ware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surfactant systems for rinse aid applications, particularly on plastics and other wares, fail to provide effective sheeting, wetting, and fast drying while minimizing spotting, especially at low active levels and across various temperature conditions.
Innovation Solution
A surfactant system comprising a combination of alcohol alkoxylate surfactants, including Guerbet alcohol surfactants, which provides synergy to achieve improved sheeting, wetting, and drying properties at reduced active concentrations, suitable for both liquid and solid formulations and applicable in both high and low temperature warewashing applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional surfactant systems are used at low active levels, then cost is reduced, but sheeting, wetting, and drying performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple alcohol alkoxylate surfactants (specifically Guerbet alcohol alkoxylates with other C6-18 alcohol alkoxylates) to create a synergistic blend that achieves superior sheeting and wetting performance at lower total surfactant concentrations than single surfactant systems or conventional blends
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite surfactant system by formulating specific ratios of different alcohol alkoxylate surfactants (Guerbet-based with other C6-18 alcohol alkoxylates) to achieve enhanced performance characteristics that neither surfactant alone could provide, enabling effective rinsing at reduced actives levels
2Reliability
If conventional surfactant systems are used to achieve good sheeting and wetting, then performance is improved, but spotting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the surfactant system by selecting specific alcohol alkoxylate surfactants with particular chain lengths and ethoxylate values (specifically Guerbet alcohol alkoxylates combined with other C6-18 alcohol alkoxylates in defined ratios) to optimize the balance between sheeting performance and spotting reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates different functional zones within the surfactant system where Guerbet alcohol alkoxylates provide superior sheeting and spotting reduction while complementary C6-18 alcohol alkoxylates enhance wetting, with each component optimized for its specific function in the blend
3Reliability
If high surfactant concentrations are used, then sheeting, wetting, and drying performance is improved, but cost and residue increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges Guerbet alcohol alkoxylates with other C6-18 alcohol alkoxylate surfactants in specific ratios to create a synergistic system that achieves rapid drying performance at lower total surfactant concentrations, reducing both cost and residue on ware
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replicates and enhances the functionality of high-concentration surfactant systems by using optimized blends of multiple surfactants at lower concentrations, achieving equivalent or superior performance with reduced material input
4Reliability
If conventional surfactant systems are used for rinse aid applications, then basic rinsing is achieved, but fast drying without spots is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a composite surfactant system combining Guerbet alcohol alkoxylates with other C6-18 alcohol alkoxylates in specific ratios to achieve fast drying and spot-free performance, where the synergistic interaction between components enhances overall performance without requiring overly complex formulations
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 surfactant system achieves enhanced sheeting, wetting, and drying performance on plastics and other surfaces with reduced spotting, operating effectively at lower surfactant concentrations and across a range of temperatures, outperforming conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
Rinsing, wetting and sheeting agents are used in a variety of applications to lower the surface tension of water to allow a solution to wet surfaces more effectively
Implementation Method 2
Rinse aids or rinsing agents are conventionally used in warewashing applications to promote drying and to prevent the formation of spots on the ware being washed
Data Source
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AI summary
Surfactant systems and compositions incorporating the same are disclosed for use as rinse aids on plastics and other wares. The surfactant systems and compositions include both liquid and solid formulations, along with methods of use for treating plastics and other wares. The surfactant systems and compositions provide synergistic combinations allowing lower actives in composition formulations of the plastic-compatible surfactant systems providing good sheeting, wetting and drying properties.