Ethoxylated Sorbitol Cleaning Compositions for Viscous Dilution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning compositions, particularly those using acrylic polymers and copolymers, fail to maintain optimal viscosity and detergency when diluted, leading to increased waste and costs due to water content, and there is a lack of solid compositions that can be dissolved by consumers for immediate use with similar properties to liquid or concentrated liquid products.
Innovation Solution
A solid composition comprising ethoxylated sorbitol esters, polyethylene glycol esters, non-ionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants, which upon dissolution, form a viscous liquid formulation with enhanced foaming, viscosity, and detergency without requiring heating, thus reducing packaging and shipping costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If acrylic polymers and copolymers are used as rheological modifiers in concentrated cleaning products, then the products can be diluted without damaging cleaning action, but after dilution they generate a gel formulation that is not optimal for use and do not promote viscosity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the rheological modifier by using ethoxylated sorbitol esters with specific ethoxylation degrees (20-80 moles of EO) instead of acrylic polymers. This parameter change allows the formulation to maintain optimal viscosity and gel structure after dilution, resolving the contradiction between dilution capability and formulation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite rheological system by combining ethoxylated sorbitol esters with anionic and non-ionic surfactants. This composite approach ensures that the formulation maintains stable viscosity and gel structure upon dilution, while preserving cleaning effectiveness, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability to dilution and reliability of performance.
2Volume of stationary object
If concentrated cleaning products are commercialized to reduce packaging and shipping volume, then smaller packaging and reduced solid waste are achieved, but water content increases the volume of the product and impacts waste from production process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter by developing a water-free solid composition that can be dissolved by the consumer. This eliminates the need to ship and store large volumes of water, reducing packaging requirements and minimizing waste from the production and distribution process, while still delivering effective cleaning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-formulating the cleaning agents in a stable solid state that maintains all necessary cleaning properties. The consumer then performs the dissolution action at home, which eliminates the need for industrial water addition and reduces the volume that would need to be packaged and shipped, thereby reducing waste.
3Ease of operation
If water is used in concentrated cleaning products to facilitate handling and use, then the products are easier to operate, but the volume of the product increases and packaging and shipping costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from liquid to solid by eliminating water content. The resulting solid composition is easy to handle, store, and transport due to its compact form. The consumer can easily dissolve the solid composition in water at home to obtain the desired liquid cleaning solution, thus maintaining ease of operation while minimizing product volume for packaging and shipping.
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 provides a stable, processable, and cost-effective cleaning composition that maintains desired properties upon dissolution, minimizing waste and costs while ensuring effective cleaning performance comparable to traditional liquid formulations.
Implementation Method 1
These high molecular weight esters acquire thickening functions in the formulation, due to the formation of transient networks formed between the fatty chains of the high molecular weight molecules and the internal part of the micelles of the surfactants in the formulation, keeping the ethoxylated portions in water, through the mechanism of associative thickening.
Implementation Method 2
a solid composition for cleaning products that can be dissolved by the final consumer before or at the time of use
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure refers to a solid composition that provides increased viscosity after being dissolved, as well as a liquid and viscous formulation for cleaning and use thereof in cleaning and personal care products, as well as methods for preparing and for distribution of said liquid and viscous formulation.