Water-Soluble Fibrous Structure for Particle Separation and Dissolution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-soluble unit dose articles face issues with incompatible active agents clumping together due to tight packing, leading to inhibited dispersion and dissolution, affecting cleaning effectiveness and consumer experience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating particles with a particle size distribution of 1.7 mm to 3.5 mm within a water-soluble fibrous structure, allowing for effective separation of incompatible agents and preventing direct interaction, while ensuring rapid dissolution and dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If smaller particles are used to keep incompatible active agents separated, then the agents can be effectively separated within the finite confines of the unit dose article, but the particles pack more tightly and cause gelling that inhibits dissolution and dispersion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter from small particles (D50 < 1 mm) to larger particles (D50 of 1 mm to 3.5 mm). This parameter change reduces particle packing density, preventing gelling while maintaining separation of incompatible active agents. The larger particle size creates sufficient inter-particle space that eliminates the gelling problem while still achieving effective agent separation within the unit dose article.
2Quantity of substance
If a large quantity of smaller particles are incorporated to meet minimum active agent levels, then sufficient active agent quantity is provided, but the particles are packed closer together causing gelling and inhibited dispersion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter to larger dimensions (D50 of 1 mm to 3.5 mm), which reduces the total particle count needed to achieve the same active agent quantity. This parameter change allows sufficient active agent incorporation while maintaining lower particle packing density, thereby preventing gelling and ensuring effective dispersion.
3Quantity of substance
If particles are tightly packed to maximize active agent concentration, then the unit dose article provides sufficient cleaning power, but the particles form lumpy gel-like structures that cannot disperse effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter to larger dimensions (D50 of 1 mm to 3.5 mm), which reduces particle packing density even when maintaining sufficient active agent concentration. This parameter change prevents the formation of lumpy gel-like structures by ensuring adequate inter-particle spacing, thereby achieving both sufficient cleaning power and homogeneous dispersion.
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 enables effective distribution of active agents, maintaining cleaning performance and consumer satisfaction by preventing gelling, while providing a satisfactory cleaning experience.
Implementation Method 1
water-soluble unit dose article comprising a water-soluble fibrous structure and a plurality of particles associated with the water-soluble fibrous structure
Implementation Method 2
effective dispersion and dissolution of active agents within the wash
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Described herein is a household care composition, which delivers active agents onto fabric or hard surfaces, in the form of a water-soluble unit dose article comprising a water-soluble fibrous structure and one or more particles, as well as methods for making the same.