Water-Soluble Unit Dose with Fibrous Sheet and Surfactant System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water-soluble unit dose articles exhibit poor solubility and often have an off-white, grey, or yellow tint, which is undesirable, especially for drawer-dispensed products where a white powder is preferred.
Innovation Solution
A water-soluble unit dose article comprising a fibrous non-woven sheet forming a sealed internal compartment with a granular laundry detergent composition, where the fibres are made of polyvinyl alcohol polymer and the detergent contains a surfactant system with at least 50 wt % linear alkylbenzene sulphonate, primarily magnesium linear alkyl benzene sulphonate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If water-soluble unit dose article is used for convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but solubility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the detergent powder by incorporating specific solubility enhancers and optimizing the surfactant system (at least 50 wt% linear alkylbenzene sulphonate, preferably magnesium linear alkyl benzene sulphonate). This modifies the dissolution characteristics to achieve complete solubility while maintaining the unit dose format's convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material approach by combining water-soluble polymeric materials (such as polyvinyl alcohol) with the granular detergent composition. This composite structure ensures the pouch dissolves completely while releasing the detergent, resolving the contradiction between maintaining unit dose integrity and achieving complete solubility
2Ease of operation
If detergent powder is enclosed in unit dose article, then ease of operation is improved, but powder colour profile deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition of the detergent powder by adjusting pH levels and incorporating specific additives that prevent discoloration. The surfactant system composition (at least 50 wt% linear alkylbenzene sulphonate) and other formulation parameters are optimized to maintain a bright white color profile, eliminating the off-white, grey, or yellow tints typically associated with enclosed detergent powders
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 ensures good dissolution and a desirable white powder color profile, maintaining the detergent within the compartment until submerged in water, where it effectively releases the detergent into the wash liquor.
Implementation Method 1
the water-soluble sheet dissolves and/or disintegrates and releases the detergent composition into the water
Implementation Method 2
the granular laundry detergent comprises from 1 wt % to 50 wt % of a surfactant system, wherein the surfactant system comprises at least 50 wt % linear alkylbenzene sulphonate
Data Source
AI summary
A water-soluble unit dose article comprising a fibrous non-woven sheet and a surfactant system.