Intercalated Bleach Composition Stabilization via Alkaline Earth Metal Ratio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current chlorine bleach products do not offer excellent performance across a wide range of criteria such as formulation flexibility, odor, stability, and moisture sensitivity, making them unsuitable for various applications.

Innovation Solution

Development of intercalated bleach compositions with a specific formula M x (OCl) y (O) m (OH) n, where M is an alkaline earth metal like magnesium or calcium, and a molar ratio of alkaline earth metal to hypochlorite of at least 3:1, which exhibit improved stability, reduced odor, and pH buffering characteristics, allowing for controlled hypochlorite release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional chlorine bleach products are used, then cleaning and bleaching effectiveness is achieved, but formulation flexibility and odor characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidformulation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the bleach composition by using magnesium or calcium hypochlorite with specific molar ratios (Mg:OCl ≥ 3:1 or Ca:OCl ≥ 3:1) and controlling pH within 7-11. This parameter optimization enables better formulation flexibility while maintaining cleaning effectiveness, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If sodium hypochlorite phosphate adduct is used, then solution clarity is improved, but compatibility with certain applications deteriorates due to phosphate content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolution clarityVSAvoidapplication compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates phosphates from the bleach formulation by using magnesium or calcium hypochlorite instead of sodium hypochlorite phosphate adduct. This removal of harmful phosphates maintains solution clarity while improving application compatibility, especially for laundry detergents and other phosphate-sensitive applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Quantity of substance

If existing bleach products are used, then chlorine availability is achieved, but stability and moisture sensitivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechlorine availabilityVSAvoidbleach stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the chemical parameters by using magnesium or calcium hypochlorite with controlled molar ratios and pH levels (7-11), which significantly improves stability and reduces moisture sensitivity while maintaining chlorine availability. The specific parameter control prevents degradation and enhances shelf life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Power

If high concentrations of hypochlorite are used, then cleaning power is increased, but pH buffering capacity and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning powerVSAvoidpH buffering capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pH parameter to within the range of 7-11, which provides adequate pH buffering capacity while maintaining high cleaning power. This parameter optimization allows the bleach to effectively clean without excessive pH levels that would cause instability and degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 intercalated bleach compositions demonstrate enhanced stability, reduced odor, and improved pH buffering, providing effective cleaning and disinfection while maintaining stability in humid environments and compatibility with various adjuvants, thus addressing the limitations of existing bleach products.

Implementation Method 1

improved pH buffering, providing effective cleaning and disinfection while maintaining stability in humid environments

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH buffering:

Data Source

PatentEP3055398B1Intercalated bleach compositions, related methods of manufacture and use
Publication Date: 2017.12.27 THE CLOROX CO
  • EP3055398B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3055398B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3055398B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The invention relates to compositions, methods of use, and methods of manufacture for an intercalated bleach compound and compositions thereof. The intercalated bleach compound has the formula Mx(OCl)y(O)m(OH)n where M is an alkaline earth metal such as magnesium, calcium or mixture thereof. The values of x and y independently equal any number greater than or equal to 1 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), and m and n independently equal any number greater than or equal to 0 (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), but m and n are not both 0. In addition, the molar ratio of the alkaline earth metal (e.g., magnesium or calcium) to hypochlorite is at least 3: 1. In other words, x is ≥ 3y. The compounds exhibit excellent stability, little or no chlorine bleach odor, exhibit excellent pH buffering characteristics, and less reactivity with organic materials as compared to alternative chlorine bleach products.