Fabric Softener Composition with Ionic Compounds to Reduce Dosage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fabric softeners require higher dosages due to inefficiencies, leading to environmental concerns and a need for more concentrated and effective softening agents.
Innovation Solution
A fabric softener composition comprising 1 to 20 wt.% ionic compounds with a specific formula and 0.1 to 20 wt.% fatty co-softener, along with water, to enhance softening efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional quaternary ammonium cationic surfactants are used as fabric softening agents, then fabric softening function is achieved, but higher dosages are required leading to increased environmental impact and reduced product concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the softening agent by introducing a tetravalent linker with four aliphatic groups (C5-C27) attached to a central nitrogen atom, creating compounds with formula I. This structural parameter change results in enhanced softening efficacy per unit mass, allowing lower dosages (1-20 wt.%) compared to conventional surfactants while maintaining or improving softening performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite fabric softening system by combining the novel ionic compound (formula I) with a fatty co-softener (0.1-20 wt.%). This composite approach synergistically enhances the overall softening efficacy, allowing both components to work together at lower concentrations than would be required for either component alone, thus reducing total dosage while improving productivity.
2Reliability
If higher dosages of fabric softener are used to achieve effective softening, then softening performance is improved, but environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the molecular parameters of the softening agent to include a tetravalent nitrogen center with four long-chain aliphatic groups (C5-C27), the patent creates a highly effective softening compound that requires lower dosages. This parameter optimization ensures reliable softening performance (1-20 wt.%) while minimizing the quantity of chemical substance released into the environment, thereby reducing environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a more efficient molecular copy or evolution of conventional quaternary ammonium surfactants by systematically optimizing the aliphatic chain lengths and configurations attached to the nitrogen center. This optimized molecular design achieves superior softening performance at lower concentrations, effectively copying the essential function while reducing harmful environmental release.
3Quantity of substance
If fabric softener formulations are made more concentrated to reduce environmental impact, then dosage is reduced, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite formulation consisting of the novel ionic compound (formula I) at 1-20 wt.% combined with a fatty co-softener at 0.1-20 wt.%. This composite structure achieves high product concentration and enhanced softening efficacy while maintaining formulation simplicity. The synergistic interaction between the two components allows for effective softening at concentrated levels without requiring complex multi-component systems or sophisticated formulation techniques.
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 allows for lower dosing while providing effective fabric softening, reducing environmental impact and improving product concentration.
Implementation Method 1
The softening agents have developed over the years. A commonly used softening agent are quaternary ammonium cationic surfactants
Implementation Method 2
A commonly used softening agent are quaternary ammonium cationic surfactants, in particular ester linked quaternary ammonium compounds
Data Source
AI summary
A fabric softener composition comprising: a. 1 to 20 wt. % ionic compound of general formula I: (I) wherein b. 0.1 to 20 wt.% fatty co-softener; and c. Water.