Liquid Enzyme Cleaning Composition for Thermal and Phase Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing washing and cleaning agents with enzymes face challenges in maintaining stability and activity when exposed to varying high temperatures, particularly in multi-dosing devices for automatic dishwashers or washing machines, leading to potential phase separation and loss of cleaning efficacy.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a specific hydrotrope, cumene sulfonate, along with other stabilizers like 1,2-propylene glycol and boric acid derivatives, into liquid enzyme preparations to enhance the thermal stability and storage stability of enzymes, ensuring their activity and effectiveness across a temperature range of 10 to 75°C.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If washing or cleaning agents are stored in multi-dosing devices for repeated use, then convenience of operation is improved, but temperature-sensitive enzymes lose activity due to repeated exposure to high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of operationVSAvoidenzyme activity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by formulating the cleaning agent with temperature-stable enzymes before storage, and by designing the multi-dosing device to maintain enzymes at low temperature until use. The enzyme preparation is pre-adapted to withstand temperature fluctuations, and the device is pre-configured with temperature control mechanisms to protect enzyme activity during storage periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameter by maintaining the cleaning agent at low temperature (refrigeration) during storage in the multi-dosing device. This parameter change prevents thermal degradation of temperature-sensitive enzymes while allowing convenient repeated dosing. The temperature is adjusted to match the operational requirements rather than the storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If cleaning agents are exposed to high temperatures during washing cycles, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but temperature-sensitive enzymes undergo phase separation and lose activity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidphase separation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter by using temperature-stable enzymes that can withstand high washing temperatures without denaturation or phase separation. The enzyme preparation is formulated with stabilizers and protective agents that maintain structural integrity at elevated temperatures, allowing the cleaning agent to function effectively throughout the washing cycle without compositional degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies composite materials by formulating the cleaning agent as a complex preparation containing temperature-stable enzymes, stabilizers, surfactants, and protective agents. This composite formulation ensures that the enzyme maintains its activity and structural integrity at high temperatures while providing effective cleaning performance. The multiple components work synergistically to prevent phase separation and maintain stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If liquid enzyme preparations are used instead of solid granulates, then ease of manufacture and application is improved, but protection against external influences including temperature is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidtemperature sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter by using liquid enzyme preparations formulated with temperature-stable enzymes and stabilizing agents. The liquid formulation is enhanced with protective components that confer thermal stability, allowing the preparation to maintain enzyme activity despite being in a more vulnerable liquid state. The temperature stability parameter is improved through formulation rather than physical state change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies composite materials by creating a liquid enzyme preparation that is a complex formulation containing temperature-stable enzymes, stabilizers, surfactants, and protective agents. This composite liquid preparation combines the manufacturing and application advantages of liquid formulations with the thermal stability previously associated with solid granulates. The multiple components work synergistically to protect the enzyme from temperature-related damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution effectively stabilizes enzymes, preventing phase separation and activity loss, allowing for prolonged storage and repeated use in multi-dosing systems without significant degradation, thereby maintaining cleaning performance.

Implementation Method 1

The use of a liquid washing or cleaning agent preparation containing at least 5 wt.% active washing or cleaning enzymes and 0.5 wt.% cumene sulfonate, along with other stabilizing ingredients like 1,2-propylene glycol and boric acid derivatives, to enhance the thermal stability and maintain enzyme activity during multiple temperature variations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStabilization:

Implementation Method 2

The use of a liquid washing or cleaning agent preparation containing at least 5 wt.% active washing or cleaning enzymes and 0.5 wt.% cumene sulfonate, along with other stabilizing ingredients like 1,2-propylene glycol and boric acid derivatives, to enhance the thermal stability and maintain enzyme activity during multiple temperature variations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal stability enhancement:

Data Source

PatentUS20120021965A1Cleaning agent
Publication Date: 2012.01.26 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

Liquid detergent or cleaning agent preparations include a) at least 5 wt % of at least one enzyme preparation active in washing or cleaning; and b) at least 0.5 wt % cumenesulfonate, wherein the liquid detergent or cleaning agent preparations are characterized by a good phase stability and enzyme stability and good cleaning performance.