Foaming Compositions Using Glutamate Surfactants and Coated Effervescent Particles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foaming compositions, particularly in cleaning products, fail to generate a stable foam with sufficient height and longevity due to the presence of active agents like perfumes and large effervescent particle sizes, which negatively impact foam generation and stability.
Innovation Solution
A foaming composition comprising glutamate surfactants as gas bubble-stabilizing agents, coated effervescent acid and salt particles with smaller average particle sizes, and a perfume delivery system using a carrier like silica to enhance foam stability and longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If active agents like perfumes are added to foaming compositions, then the cleaning product has improved scent and user experience, but foam generation and stability are suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a carrier material (such as silica, titania, or zinc oxide particles) as an intermediary substance that physically separates and delivers the perfume to the foam structure. This carrier acts as a mediator between the perfume and the foam, allowing the fragrance to be incorporated without directly interfering with foam stability. The carrier particles serve as a platform for perfume delivery, enabling the active agent to function without suppressing foam generation.
2Ease of manufacture
If effervescent particles are made larger to improve handling and mixing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but foam height and longevity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically changes the particle size parameter of effervescent components, optimizing it to a specific range (50-500 micrometers) that balances handling characteristics with foam generation performance. This parameter optimization ensures that particles are small enough to create fine, stable foam bubbles while remaining large enough to maintain proper flow and mixing characteristics. The glutamate surfactant coating works synergistically with this particle size optimization to enhance foam stability.
3Reliability
If glutamate surfactants are used as gas bubble-stabilizing agents, then foam stability is improved, but the composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite effervescent particle system where glutamate surfactants are coated onto effervescent salt particles. This composite structure combines the foam-stabilizing properties of the surfactant with the gas-generating capability of the effervescent salt, achieving enhanced foam stability through a unified particle system rather than separate components. The coating integrates multiple functions into a single material, reducing the need for additional separate additives.
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 generates a stable foam with improved height and longevity, as measured by the Foaming Test Method, by using glutamate surfactants and smaller effervescent particle sizes, and mitigates the negative effects of perfumes on foam stability.
Implementation Method 1
an effervescent system comprising one or more effervescent acid particles, and one or more effervescent salt particles
Implementation Method 2
one or more gas bubble-stabilizing agents such that the foaming composition creates a stable foam... one or more gas bubble-stabilizing agents which is a glutamate surfactant
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Foaming compositions containing one or more gas bubble- stabilizing agents and an effervescent system such that the foaming compositions create stable foams, foaming products containing such foaming compositions, and methods for making such foaming compositions and foaming products are provided.