Encapsulated Fragrance Composition for Stable Unit Dose Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid fabric treatment compositions with encapsulated fragrance face challenges in maintaining homogeneous dispersion and stability during storage and dissolution in wash cycles, particularly when formulated for unit dose packages, due to issues like phase separation and high viscosity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a specific range of alcohol ethoxylate (3.75% to 8% by weight) along with a rheology modifier, such as a HASE polymer, into the composition to stabilize encapsulated fragrance slurry, ensuring it remains homogenously dispersed and dissolves reliably, even at elevated temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If encapsulated fragrances are mixed with polyethylene glycol to maintain water activity and prevent premature film dissolution, then the fragrance encapsulations agglomerate and form large clumps that do not dissolve when added to wash liquor, but if other solvents like glycerin or propylene glycol are used, the formulations show phase separation within hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the solvent system by introducing alcohol ethoxylate with specific chain lengths (C12-C15) and ethoxylate values (6-9), and adjusts the concentration ranges of all components to achieve both stability and dissolution reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solvent system combining alcohol ethoxylate with polyethylene glycol and additional solvents like glycerin or propylene glycol, where each component contributes specific properties to achieve overall formulation stability and dissolution reliability
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rheology modifier is added to stabilize encapsulated fragrance slurry and prevent phase separation, then the liquid composition becomes overly viscous, but without sufficient structurant the composition cannot maintain homogeneous dispersion during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration of the rheology modifier (HASE polymer) within a specific range of 0.05-5% by weight, and adjusts pH to 7-11, to achieve the desired balance between suspension stability and acceptable viscosity for dissolution in wash cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local structuring around the encapsulated fragrance particles through the rheology modifier, providing suspension stability where needed while maintaining overall fluidity for dissolution by controlling the distribution and concentration of the structurant
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 compositions exhibit lower yield stress and storage modulus, preventing phase separation for up to four weeks at 40°C, and ensuring complete dissolution in wash cycles, thus enhancing stability and dispersibility.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a specific range of alcohol ethoxylate (3.75% to 8% by weight) along with a rheology modifier, such as a HASE polymer, into the composition to stabilize encapsulated fragrance slurry
Implementation Method 2
from about 0.5% by weight to about 5% by weight of a rheology modifier
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid fabric treatment composition suitable for encapsulation in a unit dose pack contains from about 3% by weight to about 8% by weight of an alcohol ethoxylate, from about 10% by weight to about 70% by weight of an encapsulated fragrance slurry; from about 0.5% by weight to about 5% by weight of a rheology modifier; from about 0.1% by weight to about 3% by weight of a pH adjusting agent; and from about to about 5% by weight to about 60% by weight of non-aqueous solvent. The liquid composition is stable at elevated temperatures and has a lower yield stress and a lower storage modulus than a composition having no alcohol ethoxylate.