Segmented Laundry Additive Particles to Prevent Perfume Discoloration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laundry additives containing enzymes and bacterial spores interact negatively with perfume, leading to undesirable discoloration, which affects consumer perception and acceptance.

Innovation Solution

A particulate laundry additive composition comprising two types of particles: particle A, which is free of Bacillus spores and enzymes, and particle B, which contains Bacillus spores and enzymes, ensuring the additive retains its visual appeal while providing malodor control and cleaning benefits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If enzymes and bacterial spores are included in the laundry additive to provide malodour control and cleaning benefits, then cleaning performance is improved, but the additive undergoes undesirable discoloration due to negative interaction with perfume

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoiddiscoloration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The laundry additive is divided into two distinct particle types: Particle A containing perfume and being substantially free of enzymes and spores, and Particle B containing enzymes and spores and being substantially free of perfume. This segmentation prevents the negative interaction between perfume and enzymes/spores that causes discoloration, while still delivering both fragrance and cleaning benefits through the combined action of the two particle types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If perfume is combined with enzymes and bacterial spores in the same particle, then the product formulation is simplified, but the visual appeal deteriorates due to discoloration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct formulationVSAvoidvisual appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The formulation is segmented into two particle types with distinct compositions: Particle A (perfume-containing) and Particle B (enzyme and spore-containing). This segmentation maintains visual appeal by preventing discoloration in Particle A, while Particle B provides the necessary cleaning functionality. The two particle types are combined in the final product to achieve both aesthetic and functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If enzymes and spores are separated from perfume into different particles, then discoloration is prevented, but the product complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediscoloration preventionVSAvoidproduct structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The product is segmented into two particle types that are relatively simple in their respective compositions. Particle A contains carrier and perfume, while Particle B contains carrier, enzymes, and spores. This segmentation prevents discoloration while maintaining relative simplicity in each particle type's formulation. The overall product complexity is managed by using similar carrier materials and straightforward composition ratios for each particle type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 composition effectively manages the negative interaction between perfume, enzymes, and bacterial spores, maintaining the additive's desired visual appeal and enhancing consumer satisfaction.

Implementation Method 1

The spores seem to deposit on the laundry articles during the wash and in the presence of heat seem to germinate and to reduce malodor.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpore germination:

Implementation Method 2

Particle B comprises a carrier, Bacillus spores and enzymes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentEP4682234A1Laundry additive including perfume, bacterial spores and enzymes

Publication Date: 2026.01.21 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

Particulate laundry additive composition having a plurality of particles wherein each of said particles has a mass between about 1 mg to about 5000 mg, the composition comprising: i) at least 60% by weight of the composition of particle A, wherein particle A comprises at least 40% by weight of the particle of a carrier, from 0.1% to 10% by weight of the particle of perfume and the particle is substantially free of Bacillus spores and enzymes; and ii) at least 2% by weight of the composition of particle B, wherein particle B comprises at least 40% by weight of the particle of a carrier, from about 0.0001% to about 5% by weight of the particle of Bacillus spores and enzymes and less than 0.01% by weight of the particle of perfume.