Heat Stable Fabric Softener Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fabric softener products face challenges with heat stability, pH sensitivity, high energy requirements for processing, and environmental concerns related to solvent use, particularly in markets with high temperatures and less developed supply chains, necessitating a solution that enhances stability, reduces energy costs, and minimizes solvent use while maintaining consumer-acceptable viscosity and softening performance.
Innovation Solution
A fabric softener composition comprising bis-(2-hydroxypropyl)-dimethylammonium methylsulphate fatty acid ester with specific fatty acid chain lengths and iodine values, combined with a monoester quaternary ammonium compound, which provides improved heat stability, reduced melt transition temperature, and lower pH sensitivity, allowing for flexible formulation and reduced solvent usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If fabric softener actives are formulated at pH 3 to minimize hydrolysis, then hydrolysis is reduced, but adjunct ingredients become unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter from the conventional pH 3 to a higher pH range (pH 5-7), which resolves the contradiction by making adjunct ingredients stable while using a different fabric softener active (ammonium carboxylate or ammonium carbonate) that remains stable at this higher pH, eliminating the need for acidic conditions
2Ease of manufacture
If fabric softener actives are heated to 60-90°C to form fluidized melt, then processing is enabled, but energy consumption and equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the melting temperature parameter by selecting fabric softener actives with lower melting points (below 60°C), which eliminates the need for high-temperature heating and reduces energy consumption while still enabling fluidized melt processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses readily available, inexpensive fabric softener actives (ammonium carboxylate or ammonium carbonate) that naturally have low melting points, replacing expensive specialized actives that require high-temperature processing equipment
3Stability of the object's composition
If fabric softener viscosity is increased to meet consumer quality expectations, then product quality perception improves, but pouring characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the viscosity parameter by selecting fabric softener actives with appropriate molecular structures and by controlling the pH to be closer to neutral, which provides sufficient viscosity for quality perception while maintaining good pouring characteristics due to the lower melting point and reduced hydrolysis
4Productivity
If fabric softener products are stored in high temperature environments for extended periods, then distribution to developing markets is enabled, but heat stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple, stable fabric softener actives (ammonium carboxylate or ammonium carbonate) that are inherently resistant to heat degradation, enabling storage in high temperature environments without requiring expensive stabilization additives or controlled temperature warehousing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the storage temperature parameter by formulating the product to be stable at higher temperatures through the selection of heat-stable fabric softener actives and adjusting the pH to neutral, which prevents hydrolysis and maintains stability during extended storage in hot climates
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 achieves enhanced heat stability, reduced hydrolysis, and lower viscosity maintenance over time, even at high temperatures, while maintaining effective fabric softening performance and reducing energy and production costs, thus addressing the technical challenges of existing fabric softener technologies.
Implementation Method 1
the ester functional group of these actives results in hydrolysis over time under aqueous conditions. Hydrolysis products such as monoester quaternary ammonium compound and fatty acid can destabilize the fabric softening product.
Implementation Method 2
Heat stability - particularly over the course of six months to a year or longer - is a problem for many fabric softener products.
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
Heat stable fabric softeners are particularly useful for use in developing markets. A first aspect of the invention provides for a fabric softener product having a composition comprising from 1 % to 49% a fabric softener composition comprising a compound of formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 is each independently a C15-C17, and wherein the C15-C17 is unsaturated or saturated, branched or linear, substituted or unsubstituted. Another aspect of the invention provides for a method of softening laundry comprising the step of administering an aforementioned composition, to a rinse cycle of an automatic laundry machine or a hand washing laundry rinse basin.