Hydrocolloid Laundry Beads for Fast Dissolution and Benefit Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers desire additional benefits from laundry compositions, such as faster dissolution and enhanced perfuming, softening, or fabric protection, which traditional methods do not adequately provide.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a hydrocolloid solution with benefit agents is dropped into a curing solution containing salt, forming stable particles that dissolve quickly and provide additional benefits when used in laundry processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional laundry composition methods are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but dissolution speed is slow and additional benefits are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The laundry composition is segmented into discrete particles or beads with controlled size (0.1 to 10 mm diameter). Each particle contains encapsulated benefit agents within a hydrocolloid matrix, allowing individual particles to dissolve rapidly and independently, achieving fast dissolution while maintaining simple manufacturing through droplet-freezing or spray-drying processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes physical parameters including particle size (0.1 to 10 mm), hydrocolloid concentration (5-50 wt%), and benefit agent loading (0.1-50 wt%). These parameter adjustments optimize dissolution speed while controlling manufacturing complexity, as smaller particles dissolve faster but require more precise processing
2Quantity of substance
If higher levels of benefit agents are added, then consumer benefits are enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrocolloid matrix serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural framework, an encapsulation vehicle for benefit agents, a dissolution control mechanism, and a particle-forming medium. This multi-functionality allows high benefit agent loading (0.1-50 wt%) without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity, as the same basic process handles both matrix formation and agent encapsulation
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrocolloid acts as an intermediary carrier that simplifies the incorporation of diverse benefit agents (surfactants, enzymes, perfumes, softeners). Instead of separately processing each ingredient, they are all incorporated into the hydrocolloid matrix through a unified encapsulation process, managing complexity while achieving high benefit agent concentrations
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 method produces stable, fast-dissolving laundry compositions that deliver enhanced perfuming, softening, and fabric protection benefits, addressing consumer needs effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a composition comprising hydrocolloid, benefit agent and water is dropped into a curing solution, a stable laundry composition can be obtained
Implementation Method 2
the hydrocolloid solution...is dropped into a curing solution...wherein particles remain in the curing solution for 5 seconds to 1 hour; the solidified beads then being removed
Data Source
AI summary
A method of preparing a home care composition, wherein a hydrocolloid solution comprising: Hydrocolloid; Benefit agent; and Water; is dropped into a curing solution comprising salt.