Fabric Care Composition with Modified Carbohydrate Polymer
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for fabric care compositions that balance performance properties such as softening and anti-redeposition effectively, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A fabric care composition comprising a modified carbohydrate polymer with quaternary ammonium moieties, specifically trimethyl and dimethyl(alkyl) ammonium groups, and a cleaning surfactant, where the polymer has a weight average molecular weight less than 500,000 Daltons and a Kjeldahl nitrogen content of ≥ 0.5 wt%, and a weight ratio of 1:5 to 1:40 with the surfactant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a modified carbohydrate polymer with quaternary ammonium groups is used in fabric care composition, then softening property is improved, but anti-redeposition property deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the molecular weight of the modified carbohydrate polymer (50,000-500,000 Daltons) and the ratio of polymer to surfactant (1:5 to 1:40). By optimizing these parameters, the composition achieves both softening and anti-redeposition properties simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between these two performance characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite approach by combining a modified carbohydrate polymer with quaternary ammonium groups and a cleaning surfactant in a specific ratio range (1:5 to 1:40). This composite formulation allows the polymer to provide softening while the surfactant contributes to anti-redeposition, achieving a balance of both properties that neither component could achieve alone.
2Strength
If a modified carbohydrate polymer with high molecular weight is used, then softening property is improved, but fabric care performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and resolves this contradiction by establishing an optimal molecular weight range (50,000-500,000 Daltons) for the modified carbohydrate polymer. This parameter optimization ensures that the polymer provides sufficient softening effect while maintaining adequate fabric care performance, avoiding the deterioration that occurs with excessively high molecular weights.
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 composition provides a favorable balance of softening and anti-redeposition properties, as demonstrated by improved fabric care performance in tests.
Implementation Method 1
a modified carbohydrate polymer having a weight average molecular weight of less than 500,000 Daltons and having dimethyl(alkyl) ammonium moieties having formula (II) wherein each R is independently selected from a C8-22 alkyl group
Data Source
AI summary
A fabric care composition is provided including water; a modified carbohydrate polymer having a weight average molecular weight of < 500,000 Daltons and a Kjeldahl nitrogen content corrected for ash and volatiles, TKN, of ≥ 0.5 wt%; and a cleaning surfactant; wherein the modified carbohydrate polymer is a carbohydrate polymer functionalized with quaternary ammonium moieties; wherein the quaternary ammonium moieties on the modified carbohydrate polymer include: trimethyl ammonium moieties having formula (I) and dimethyl(alkyl) ammonium moieties having formula (II) wherein each R is independently selected from a C8‑22 alkyl group.