Fabric Softener Composition for Industrial Laundry

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial and institutional fabric care settings face challenges in maintaining fabric softness and preventing yellowing or dulling due to harsh conditions, including high alkalinity and elevated temperatures, which conventional fabric softening compositions fail to address effectively.

Innovation Solution

The use of combined compositions comprising quaternary ammonium compounds and amino-functionalized silicone compounds, in conjunction with clay-based, quaternary ammonium, or sucrose ester softening boosters, applied during a single wash or rinse cycle to enhance fabric softness and resist yellowing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional fabric softening compositions are used in industrial and institutional settings, then fabric softness is improved, but fabric yellowing and dulling occur due to harsh washing and drying conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabric softnessVSAvoidfabric yellowing and dulling

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple softening agents (quaternary ammonium compounds, amino-functionalized silicone compounds, and softening boosters) into a composite fabric conditioning composition. This composite formulation provides synergistic softening effects while the specific component ratios and chemical structures are designed to resist degradation under high alkaline and high temperature conditions, thereby preventing yellowing and dulling of fabrics during industrial and institutional washing and drying cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the softening composition by selecting specific quaternary ammonium compounds with appropriate chain lengths and structures, amino-functionalized silicone compounds with specific molecular weights, and softening boosters that remain stable at high pH and temperature. These parameter optimizations enable the composition to maintain softening efficacy while resisting the harmful effects of industrial washing conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high alkaline detergents and elevated temperature drying are used in industrial settings, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but fabric softness deteriorates and yellowing occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidfabric softness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harsh industrial washing conditions (high alkalinity and high temperature) from harmful factors into beneficial aspects by selecting softening agents that are specifically stable under these conditions. The quaternary ammonium compounds, amino-functionalized silicone compounds, and softening boosters are chosen to withstand and even thrive in high pH and high temperature environments, maintaining fabric softness despite the aggressive washing and drying processes that improve cleaning efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS11466233B2Compositions to boost fabric softener performance

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

Method for treating a textile under industrial and institutional fabric care conditions to impart softness within a single wash and/or rinse cycle are disclosed. More particularly, the present invention relates to a combination of a liquid or solid fabric conditioning composition and a softening booster for treating a textile to impart softness within a single wash and/or rinse cycle. Compositions employed therein are further disclosed