Water-Soluble Fibrous Unit Dose Articles with Rheology Modifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Formulating fibrous water-soluble unit dose articles that include alkylalkoxylated sulfate surfactants without inhibiting the processability of the fibers or the dissolution of the resultant articles in the wash is challenging due to gel-like rheology issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of water-soluble fibrous structures combined with rheology-modified detergent particles comprising alkylalkoxylated sulfate and a rheology modifier, such as an alkoxylated amine or an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide-ethylene oxide triblock copolymer, to enhance dissolution and cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alkylalkoxylated sulfate surfactant is incorporated into the detergent formulation, then cleaning performance is improved, but gel-like rheology develops that inhibits dispersion and dissolution
Solution Approach 1:
A rheology modifier is introduced as an intermediary substance to mediate between the alkylalkoxylated sulfate surfactant and water. The rheology modifier prevents the surfactant from forming gel-like hexagonal structures by modifying the intermediate phase rheology, thereby maintaining both cleaning performance and dissolution properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The rheological parameters of the detergent composition are changed by adding a rheology modifier that specifically targets the intermediate phase behavior. This changes the flow properties and prevents gel formation while preserving the surfactant's cleaning effectiveness.
2Use of energy by moving object
If filament-forming polymers are used to produce water-soluble fibers, then surface area to weight ratio is increased and drying energy is reduced, but gel-like rheology is contributed that inhibits dissolution
Solution Approach 1:
The rheology modifier acts as an intermediary that counteracts the gel-forming tendency of filament-forming polymers. It modifies the rheological properties of the processing mixture to prevent hexagonal structure formation, enabling both energy-efficient fiber production and good dissolution.
Solution Approach 2:
A composite material system is created by combining filament-forming polymers with rheology modifiers. This composite approach allows the benefits of high surface area fibers while mitigating the detrimental gel-like rheology through the synergistic interaction between the polymer and rheology modifier.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional water-soluble film structures are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but cleaning performance is inferior to fibrous structures
Solution Approach 1:
The physical structure parameter is changed from film to fibrous form, which dramatically improves cleaning performance through higher surface area contact with fabrics. The rheology modifier is simultaneously used to ensure these complex fibrous structures dissolve properly, making the parameter change viable.
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 described solution achieves improved dissolution and cleaning performance of the fibrous water-soluble unit dose articles, ensuring effective delivery of active agents while maintaining the structural integrity and processability of the fibers.
Implementation Method 1
rheology-modified detergent particles comprising alkylalkoxylated sulfate and a rheology modifier
Implementation Method 2
water-soluble unit dose articles comprising water-soluble fibrous structures and one or more particles
Data Source
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, as well as methods for making the same.