Enzyme Granule Spore Coating for Uniform Detergent Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in uniformly distributing small amounts of spores in detergents while avoiding contamination of enzyme processing facilities.
Innovation Solution
The development of enzyme granules with a core containing enzymes and a coating comprising spores, allowing for efficient and uniform delivery of both components without introducing spores into the enzyme processing facility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If spores are mixed into detergent powder, then spore distribution is achieved, but uniform distribution of small amounts of spores is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing spores inside enzyme granules. The enzyme granule serves as a container (core) that encapsulates the spores (coating), creating a nested structure where the spore-containing granule is distributed throughout the detergent powder. This allows small amounts of spores to be uniformly distributed without requiring large quantities of spores to be mixed directly into the detergent formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The enzyme granule acts as an intermediary carrier between the spore source and the final detergent product. By formulating spores within enzyme granules first, then incorporating these granules into detergent powder, the patent creates an intermediate step that facilitates uniform distribution of spores throughout the detergent matrix, solving the problem of achieving uniform distribution of small amounts of spores.
2Ease of manufacture
If spores are introduced into enzyme processing facility, then spore incorporation is achieved, but contamination of enzyme processing facilities occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the manufacturing process into two separate stages: first, formulation of enzyme granules containing spores in a dedicated facility; second, incorporation of these pre-made granules into detergent powder in a separate facility. This segmentation prevents spore contamination of the enzyme processing facility while still achieving spore incorporation into the final product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the spore-containing granule formation from the enzyme processing facility by creating a separate formulation step. The spores are incorporated into enzyme granules in a controlled environment, then these completed granules are transferred to the detergent manufacturing facility for final incorporation. This extraction removes the contamination risk from the enzyme processing facility while maintaining spore incorporation effectiveness.
3Quantity of substance
If small amounts of spores are used, then cost is reduced, but uniform distribution becomes technically challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The nested structure of enzyme granules containing spores allows small amounts of spores to be effectively distributed throughout large quantities of detergent powder. The granule format acts as a delivery vehicle that concentrates spores within a manageable size, enabling uniform distribution even when spore quantities are low, thus reducing the technical complexity of distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The enzyme granule serves as an intermediary carrier that simplifies the distribution of small amounts of spores. By formulating spores within these granules first, the patent creates a pre-distributed unit that can be easily incorporated into detergent powder, reducing the complexity of achieving uniform distribution when using small spore quantities.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides enzyme granules, comprising an enzyme and one or more spore(s).