Hydrolytically Unstable Cleaning Composition Stabilized by Non-Aqueous Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cleaning compositions in tablet form require user handling, which can lead to disintegration and exposure to harmful ingredients, and liquid or gel formulations in water-soluble sachets face instability and reduced storage stability due to water sensitivity, leading to quality issues and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A composition with hydrolytically unstable components is stabilized using a non-aqueous carrier system comprising mineral oil, a gelling agent, and an emulsifying agent, allowing for a single compartment dosage system that maintains stability and prevents premature activation of bleaching agents until use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cleaning composition is provided in liquid or gel form in water soluble sachet, then aesthetic appeal and ease of handling are improved, but storage stability deteriorates due to hydrolytic instability of components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the cleaning composition from liquid/gel to powder form, and changes the water content parameter from high (aqueous) to low (anhydrous or minimal water), thereby improving storage stability while maintaining ease of handling through the sachet delivery system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material formulations combining multiple powder components (surfactants, builders, enzymes, bleaching agents) that are stable in anhydrous conditions, creating a stable mixture that maintains effectiveness without requiring water for storage stability
2Reliability
If water sensitive components are encapsulated in hydrophobic coating, then storage stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts water from the formulation entirely, using anhydrous or minimal-water compositions that do not require encapsulation or hydrophobic coatings for protection, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining storage stability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of protecting water-sensitive components from water through encapsulation, the patent inverts the approach by formulating components that are inherently stable without water or that function better in anhydrous conditions, eliminating the need for protective coatings
3Reliability
If encapsulation is used to protect water sensitive components, then storage stability is improved, but performance is reduced due to removal of encapsulating medium requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the water content parameter to anhydrous or minimal-water conditions, allowing components to remain accessible and active without requiring removal of encapsulating media, thereby maintaining both storage stability and performance
4Stability of the object's composition
If structured system with highly viscous matrix is used to reduce sedimentation, then physical instability is reduced, but separation still occurs on prolonged storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the consistency parameter from highly viscous to powder form, and eliminates the need for suspension stability by using dry powder components that do not sediment or separate, ensuring long-term stability without requiring viscous matrices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts water from the formulation, eliminating the liquid medium that causes sedimentation and separation, thereby achieving long-term stability in powder form without requiring viscous matrices or suspension 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 solution provides increased shelf life, prevents sedimentation, and eliminates the need for user handling, while maintaining detergency and stability of the composition, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a gelling agent and an emulsifying agent for emulsifying the mineral oil
Implementation Method 2
an emulsifying agent for emulsifying the mineral oil
Data Source
AI summary
A composition is provided which is suitable for use in a cleaning or washing process. The composition is contained in an aqueous sensitive device and includes at least one aqueous sensitive component and a non-aqueous carrier component for stabilizing said aqueous sensitive component. The non-aqueous carrier component includes a mineral oil and a gelling agent.