Gelatinous Detergent Unit Dose Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detergent unit doses face issues with weight, failure rates, and mess upon failure, as well as delayed detergent release, which affects cleaning efficiency and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A gelatinous detergent unit dose with a viscosity of 200,000 to 50,000,000 centipoise and a bloom value of 200 grams or more, comprising a detergent surfactant and thickener, is developed. This unit dose is elastic, allowing it to deform and return to its initial shape, and is designed to release detergent quickly upon contact with water, minimizing weight and failure risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional detergent unit doses (tablets, sachets, containers) are used, then detergent can be delivered to the washing machine, but the unit dose increases weight and bulk, and may fail producing mess
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the detergent from conventional solid tablets or liquid-in-container forms to a gelatinous state with specific viscosity (200,000 to 50,000,000 centipoise) and bloom value (200 grams or more). This parameter change eliminates the need for heavy containers and packaging while maintaining detergent delivery functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite gelatinous material combining detergent surfactants with thickening agents to achieve the desired viscosity and elastic properties. This composite formulation replaces traditional separate components (detergent plus container plus packaging) with a single integrated gel structure that provides both cleaning function and structural integrity.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional detergent unit doses are used, then detergent can be contained and transported, but the unit dose may fail and produce unpleasant mess
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise viscosity (200,000 to 50,000,000 centipoise) and bloom value (200 grams or more) parameters for the gelatinous detergent to ensure optimal balance between containment integrity and controlled dissolution. These parameter controls prevent premature failure while enabling reliable detergent release during washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The gelatinous detergent unit dose is designed as a disposable single-use product that dissolves completely during the washing cycle, eliminating the need for durable containers or packaging that could fail. The entire detergent mass serves as both the cleaning agent and the delivery vehicle, with no separate components to malfunction.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional detergent unit doses are used, then detergent can be delivered, but the release time is longer than optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the gelatinous structure's viscosity and bloom value to optimize the dissolution rate. The specific viscosity range (200,000 to 50,000,000 centipoise) and bloom value (200 grams or more) are tuned to allow rapid detergent release upon contact with wash water, ensuring optimal cleaning action without excessive delay.
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 gelatinous unit dose reduces weight and failure rates, minimizes mess upon failure, and ensures efficient detergent release, enhancing cleaning performance and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a body having a viscosity of from about 200,000 centipoise to about 50,000,000 centipoise at a working temperature of from about 0 to about 50 degrees Celsius, where the body has a bloom value of about 200 grams or more at the working temperature
Implementation Method 2
the body is elastic at a working temperature of from about 0 to about 50 degrees Celsius such that a deforming force can deform the body by about 30 volume percent from an initial shape for about 5 seconds or less, and the body returns to about the initial shape within about 10 seconds after removing the deforming force
Implementation Method 3
The body comprises a detergent surfactant at from about 1 to about 40 weight percent based on the total weight of the body
Data Source
AI summary
A unit dose of detergent and methods for producing the same are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a unit dose comprises a body having a viscosity of from about 200,000 centipoise to about 50,000,000 centipoise at a working temperature of from about 0 to about 50 degrees Celsius, where the body has a bloom value of about 200 grams or more at the working temperature. The body comprises a detergent surfactant at from about 1 to about 40 weight percent based on the total weight of the body, and the body comprises a thickener at from about 10 to about 40 weight percent based on the total weight of the body.