Extruded Laundry Particles With Carbohydrate Carriers for Stable Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry products in the form of particles face issues such as complex production methods, high cost due to synthetic polymers like PEG, rapid fragrance evaporation, poor stability leading to stickiness and breakage, and unsatisfactory dissolution behavior, which affect consumer experience and environmental sustainability.
Innovation Solution
A laundry composition comprising particles with a water-soluble carrier (20-95% by weight) made from carbohydrates, inorganic/organic salts, and urea, along with croscarmellose sodium (0.1-20%) and benefit agents (0.1-30%), produced through extrusion and optional dusting with an anti-caking agent, to enhance stability and customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional carrier materials like PEG are used and heating/cooling production method is applied, then particles can be formed, but production time increases, equipment complexity increases, and fragrance evaporates rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the heating/cooling cycle from the production process, replacing it with a direct extrusion method that forms particles at ambient temperature, thereby reducing production time and preventing fragrance evaporation while simplifying equipment requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, non-sustainable synthetic polymers like PEG with biodegradable, environmentally friendly carrier materials such as starch, cellulose, and plant-based polymers that are cheaper and more sustainable, aligning with consumer environmental preferences
2Adaptability or versatility
If benefit agents are added to laundry products, then fabric care benefits are provided, but formulation complexity increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal particle platform where the same carrier material and formulation base can accommodate multiple different benefit agents (fragrance, fabric softener, stain remover, etc.) by simply varying the active ingredient while maintaining the same carrier system, thereby reducing formulation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the laundry product into two distinct components: a stable, pre-formed particle carrier that provides structure and controlled release, and the benefit agent that is incorporated during particle formation. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and simplifies formulation adjustments
3Ease of manufacture
If particles are produced using conventional methods, then particles can be formed, but particles stick together and lose flowability during production, transportation and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lubricant or anti-caking agent as an intermediary substance during particle formation and storage, which prevents particles from sticking together by reducing surface adhesion forces, thereby maintaining particle flowability throughout the supply chain
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes particle formation parameters such as extrusion speed, moisture content, and temperature to create particles with ideal surface properties that prevent sticking, while also adjusting the carrier material composition to enhance particle stability and flowability
4Ease of manufacture
If particles are produced using conventional methods, then particles can be formed, but particles are brittle and break up into small pieces during production, transportation and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite carrier materials combining multiple components (e.g., starch-cellulose blends, or plant-based polymers with plasticizers) that work synergistically to provide both structural integrity and flexibility, preventing particle brittleness and breakage while maintaining desired particle strength
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 improved stability, flowability, and customizable fabric care benefits, reducing production complexity and environmental impact while ensuring effective dissolution and consumer satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
a water-soluble carrier selected from a carbohydrate, an inorganic alkali metal salt, an organic alkali metal salt, an inorganic alkaline earth metal salt, an organic alkaline earth metal salt, a urea and mixtures thereof
Implementation Method 2
from 0.1 to 20% by weight of croscarmellose sodium
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry composition is disclosed comprising a plurality of particles, wherein the particle comprises from 20 to 95% by weight of a water-soluble carrier selected from a carbohydrate, an inorganic alkali metal salt, an organic alkali metal salt, an inorganic alkaline earth metal salt, an organic alkaline earth metal salt, a urea and mixtures thereof: from 0.1 to 20% by weight of croscarmellose sodium; and from 0.1 to 30% by weight of benefit agent: wherein the water-soluble carrier comprises a carbohydrate selected from sugar, sugar alcohol, and mixtures thereof.