External Structuring System for Liquid Detergent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Formulating liquid detergent compositions with surfactants is challenging due to phase separation and particulate settling, and relying on surfactants for internal structuring can waste surfactants and limit flexibility, while introducing inorganic ions into external structuring systems can be undesirable.
Innovation Solution
An external structuring system (ESS) using crystallizable glycerides like hydrogenated castor oil (HCO) with monoethanolamine-neutralized linear alkylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) as an emulsifier, which forms a stable premix that can be added to detergent compositions, improving phase stability and particulate suspension without using sodium ions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If sodium-neutralized LAS is used as an emulsifier for HCO external structuring system, then the formulation is simpler and cheaper, but the visual appearance, phase stability, and particulate matter carrying capacity are inferior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the emulsifier from sodium-neutralized LAS to alkanolamine-neutralized LAS (specifically monoethanolamine or diethanolamine). This parameter change in the neutralizing agent fundamentally alters the emulsifier's properties, resulting in improved phase stability, visual appearance, and particulate matter carrying capacity of the HCO external structuring system.
2Ease of manufacture
If inorganic ions such as Na-ions are introduced into the external structuring system, then the formulation is easier, but the suitability for liquid and gel-form surfactant-rich detergents with low water content is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates inorganic ions (specifically sodium ions) from the external structuring system by using alkanolamine-neutralized LAS instead of sodium-neutralized LAS. This removal of inorganic ions makes the system suitable for liquid and gel-form surfactant-rich detergents with low water content while maintaining formulation ease through the use of alkanolamines.
3Stability of the object's composition
If surfactants are used for internal structuring to stabilize dispersed particulate materials, then the particulates are stabilized, but surfactant is wasted and formulation flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external structuring system (HCO crystallized in alkanolamine-neutralized LAS emulsion) as an intermediary mechanism for particulate stabilization. This external structuring system acts as a mediator that stabilizes dispersed particulate materials through its crystalline network, thereby preserving surfactants for their primary cleaning function and significantly improving formulation flexibility.
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 ESS provides enhanced thickening power, improved rheology, and increased capacity for suspending particles, allowing for more soluble surfactants and better cold water cleaning performance without the need for inorganic cations.
Implementation Method 1
forming, separately from the balance of the detergent composition, a melt of HCO in aqueous Na-neutralized LAS, which may then be stirred to form an emulsion of molten HCO
Implementation Method 2
which can be utilized to stabilize dispersed particulate materials
Implementation Method 3
The emulsion is cooled to crystallize the glyceride(s)
Data Source
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AI summary
Liquid or gel-form detergents can be externally structured with a structuring system comprising crystallizable glyceride(s) emulsified with an alkanolamine-neutralized anionic surfactant. Crystallizable glyceride(s) of use include hydrogenated castor oil. The liquid or gel-form detergents may be packaged in unit dose form.