Foaming Cleaning Composition for Extended Dwell Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional clean out of place (COP) methods in the food and meat processing industries face challenges with short dwell time and low foam stability of no-foaming or low foaming cleaning compositions, leading to inefficient soil removal and increased energy and water consumption.

Innovation Solution

An aqueous foaming cleaning composition comprising C12-alkyl dimethylamine oxide, C14-alkyl dimethylamine oxide, dodecyl (oxyethylen) sulfat, and polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether carboxylic acid or salt, which provides increased foam stability and dwell time, allowing effective soil removal at lower temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If no-foaming or low foaming liquid cleaning compositions are used, then the cleaning composition flows well and can be easily applied, but the dwell time on upright surfaces is short and foam stability is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication easeVSAvoiddwell time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the cleaning composition from liquid to foam form. This foam formulation maintains ease of application while providing extended dwell time on vertical surfaces, directly resolving the contradiction between application ease and dwell time duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high temperatures (up to 80° C.) are used for cleaning, then soil removal effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil removal effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from high (80°C) to low (ambient or cool temperatures). The foam cleaning composition achieves effective soil removal at these lower temperatures through its enhanced dwell time and foam stability, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If no-foaming or low foaming compositions are used, then the composition can penetrate soils effectively, but the user cannot easily track treated areas leading to double treatment and increased water consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidtracking capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates color indicators or visual markers in the foam composition that allow users to easily track treated areas. This visual feedback mechanism prevents double treatment of surfaces and reduces water consumption, while the foam's extended dwell time maintains cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

4Ease of operation

If liquid cleaning compositions with good flow rate are used, then the composition can be easily distributed over surfaces, but the residence time on the surface is brief

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution easeVSAvoidresidence time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the phase transition from liquid to foam form. The foam structure provides both easy distribution (similar to liquid flow) and extended residence time on surfaces, as the foam bubbles adhere to vertical and overhead surfaces much longer than liquid compositions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

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 enables efficient soil removal with reduced energy and chemical consumption, allowing for longer contact time and easier tracking of treated areas, thereby improving cleaning efficiency and reducing resource usage.

Implementation Method 1

a linear and/or branched C12-alkyl dimethylamine oxide or C12-alkyl diethylamine oxide or C12-alkyl methylethylamine oxide... a linear and/or branched C14-alkyl dimethylamine oxide or C14-alkyl diethylamine oxide or C14-alkyl methylethylamine oxide... at least one anion tenside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

aqueous foaming cleaning composition... increased foam stability, increased dwell time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFoam stabilization: Foam

Data Source

PatentUS11208613B2Long lasting cleaning foam
Publication Date: 2021.12.28 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

The invention relates to an aqueous foaming cleaning composition for removing soil at low temperatures from a surface to be cleaned, characterized in, that the aqueous foaming cleaning composition comprises: a linear and/or branched C12-alkyl dimethylamine oxide or C12-alkyl diethylamine oxide or C12-alkyl methylethylamine oxide; a linear and/or branched C14-alkyl dimethylamine oxide or C14-alkyl diethylamine oxide or C14-alkyl methylethylamine oxide; at least one anion tenside of: a dodecyl (oxyethylen)w sulfat, wherein w represents an average addition mole number ranging from about 1 to about 10, and/or at least one polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether carboxylic acid or salt thereof represented by formula (I): RO—(AO)n−1—A′—COOmM (I) wherein, R represents a linear and/or branched alkyl group having about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms; AO represents an alkylene oxy group having about 2 to about 4 carbon atoms; n represents an average addition mole number ranging from about 1 to about 20; A′ represents an alkylene group having about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; M represents H or a cation; and m represents the number equal to a valence number of M;—a source of alkalinity; and—water.