Foaming Cleaner Composition With Controlled Foam Breakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning compositions face challenges in maintaining stable foam integrity and consistent cleaning efficacy, particularly when incorporating certain chemicals that disrupt foam stability and require excessive scrubbing or waiting times, and the use of propellants complicates transportation and costs.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning composition comprising a specific combination of foaming surfactants, synergists, and antagonists, along with a pH range of 7.0 to 12.5, which provides stable foam for a period followed by dissipation with an audible crackling sound, enhancing soil removal capabilities without the need for scrubbing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cleaning solvents and skin care agents are incorporated into foamable compositions, then cleaning effectiveness and skin care benefits are improved, but foam stability deteriorates due to reduced surface tension and disruption of lamellae integrity
Solution Approach 1:
A foam stabilizer is introduced as an intermediary substance that mediates between the foam-forming surfactants and the foam-disrupting ingredients (cleaning solvents and skin care agents). The foam stabilizer protects the foam lamellae from collapse caused by these ingredients while allowing them to maintain their cleaning and skin care functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition uses a composite surfactant system comprising multiple types of surfactants (foam-forming surfactants, foam-stabilizing surfactants, and foam-regulating surfactants) working together. This composite approach allows the formulation to simultaneously achieve foam stability, cleaning effectiveness, and compatibility with various functional ingredients.
2Reliability
If foam is made stable and copious, then cleaning ability is enhanced and contact time is increased, but rinsing becomes difficult and wait time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foam characteristics are made dynamic through the use of foam-regulating ingredients that allow the foam to transition from a stable, clingy state during dwell time to a more easily rinseable state. The composition includes ingredients that control foam breakdown kinetics, enabling the foam to maintain stability during the cleaning dwell period but then dissipate readily during rinsing.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam undergoes periodic changes in its structural properties over time. Initially, the foam is formulated to be stable and copious for maximum contact time and cleaning action. As time progresses, foam-breakdown ingredients facilitate controlled dissipation, transforming the foam from a stable structure to individual bubbles that rinse away easily.
3Ease of operation
If aerosol propellants are used to create foam, then foam delivery is achieved, but transportation becomes difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The aerosol propellant is extracted from the system entirely. Instead of using pressurized containers with propellants to generate foam, the invention employs conventional liquid or paste formulations that can be applied directly to surfaces using simple dispensing mechanisms, eliminating the need for complex pressurized packaging and propellant systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical foam-generation system using propellants and pressurized containers is replaced with a simpler application system. The formulation is designed to be applied as a liquid or paste that naturally forms foam or foam-like structure on the surface through capillary action and evaporation, eliminating the need for complex aerosol delivery mechanisms.
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 achieves effective soil removal with improved foam stability and ease of rinsing, reducing scrubbing requirements and eliminating the need for propellants, thus enhancing cleaning efficiency and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
Surfactant molecules at the air/water interface disrupting the stability of any foam being formed
Implementation Method 2
The foam increases contact time on surfaces to be cleaned
Implementation Method 3
foam must be stable and copious at first, then should dissipate for ease of rinsing
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to mildly alkaline bathroom and/or hard surface cleaners providing improved foam performance. In particular, a concentrated, preferably disinfecting, high performance foaming cleaning composition is disclosed which can reduce or eliminate the need for scrubbing on bathroom and other hard surfaces. Methods of use are further disclosed for bathroom and/or other hard surface cleaning. The foam has increased stability for a period of time, followed by dissipation with an audible "crackling" sound and easy rinsability.