Solid Fabric Softener Tablet Dissolution via Salt-Acid Disintegrant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid fabric softening compositions for use in washing machines face challenges in dissolving in low water quantities with low agitation during the rinse stage without leaving residues, which is crucial for front-loading machines and ensuring effective softening performance.
Innovation Solution
A solid fabric softening composition comprising 25 to 70 wt.% fabric softening active, 10 to 40 wt.% co-active, and 10 to 40 wt.% disintegrant system, where the disintegrant system includes salt and acid, is developed. The method involves melting the fabric softener active and co-active, combining with the disintegrant system, and compressing into a tablet for use in the rinse drawer of an automatic washing machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solid tablet is placed in the rinse drawer of an automatic washing machine, then it must dissolve in low quantities of water with low agitation over a short period of time, but it may leave residues which could block the syphon in the rinse drawer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the tablet by incorporating specific disintegrant systems (comprising salt and acid in controlled ratios) and co-actives that alter the dissolution behavior. This enables the tablet to dissolve completely in low water quantities with low agitation while preventing residue formation that could block the syphon.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material system combining fabric softening actives, co-actives, and disintegrant systems in specific proportions. This composite formulation ensures both complete dissolution and residue-free performance, resolving the contradiction between reliable dissolution and harmful residue formation.
2Reliability
If common fabric softening actives are used in solid tablet form, then fabric softening performance can be provided, but they are prone to gelling on dilution which leads to unsuitable viscosities that could not be flushed through the syphon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces co-actives as intermediary substances that mediate between the fabric softening actives and water during dissolution. These co-actives prevent the gelling tendency of common fabric softening actives by controlling the dilution process, ensuring suitable viscosity for syphon flushing while maintaining softening performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the concentration parameters and chemical structure parameters of the fabric softening actives and their interaction with co-actives to prevent gel formation. By controlling these parameters, the formulation achieves both effective softening performance and flushability through the syphon.
3Quantity of substance
If solid tablets are used for fabric softening in the rinse stage, then packaging requirements are reduced and environmental impact is lowered, but the tablet must dissolve in challenging conditions with low water quantities and low agitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates disintegrant systems and co-actives in the tablet formulation that are pre-configured to activate under rinse conditions. This preliminary action ensures the tablet breaks down effectively even in challenging conditions with low water quantities and low agitation, making solid tablet format viable for environmental benefits.
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 effectively dissolves in the rinse drawer, providing fabric softening benefits without residue issues, ensuring suitable viscosities for flushing and maintaining softening performance.
Implementation Method 1
The tablet must dissolve in low quantities of water, with low agitation, over a short period of time
Implementation Method 2
Melting a fabric softener active and a co-active in a pre-melt
Implementation Method 3
provide the consumers with the softening performance which they have grown accustomed to
Data Source
AI summary
A solid fabric softening composition comprising; fabric softening active, co-active and disintegrant system, wherein the disintegrant system comprises salt and acid.