Laundry Cleaning Booster Polymer for Surfactant Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for liquid laundry additives that maintain primary cleaning performance while reducing surfactant loading in liquid or gel laundry detergent formulations and provide improved anti-redeposition performance.
Innovation Solution
A liquid laundry additive comprising a cleaning booster of specific formulae, where R1 is a C1-4 alkylidene group, each R2 is independently a C2-5 alkylene oxide group, and the sum v+x+y+z is greater than 40, dispersed in water, which facilitates reduced surfactant usage while enhancing cleaning and anti-redeposition capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If surfactant loading is reduced in liquid laundry detergent formulations, then environmental sensitivity and material cost concerns are addressed, but primary cleaning performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite polymer system combining polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polypropylene oxide (PPO) segments in a block copolymer structure. This composite material provides both cleaning enhancement and anti-redeposition properties, allowing reduced surfactant loading while maintaining cleaning performance. The specific molecular architecture with controlled oxide group compositions creates synergistic effects that compensate for lower surfactant concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes precise parameter control of the polymer structure, including molecular weight (3,000 to 23,500 Daltons), oxide group ratios, and chain composition parameters (v+x+y+z > 40). By optimizing these parameters, the polymer achieves maximum cleaning efficiency at reduced surfactant levels, transforming the system's performance characteristics without changing the fundamental surfactant-free approach.
2Loss of substance
If surfactant loading is reduced in liquid laundry detergent formulations, then material costs decrease, but overall cleaning performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The block copolymer comprising PEO and PPO segments acts as a composite material that delivers multiple functions simultaneously. The hydrophilic PEO segments and hydrophobic PPO segments work together to enhance cleaning of various soil types while providing anti-redeposition protection, thereby maintaining high cleaning productivity with reduced surfactant content.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer additive performs multiple functions: primary cleaning enhancement, anti-redeposition protection, and fabric care. This multi-functionality allows a single ingredient to replace what would traditionally require multiple components including higher surfactant loads, thereby maintaining overall cleaning performance while reducing total material usage.
3Device complexity
If conventional laundry additives are used, then formulation simplicity is maintained, but anti-redeposition performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite polymer system combining polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polypropylene oxide (PPO) segments in a block copolymer structure. This composite material provides both cleaning enhancement and anti-redeposition properties, allowing reduced surfactant loading while maintaining cleaning performance. The specific molecular architecture with controlled oxide group compositions creates synergistic effects that compensate for lower surfactant concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes precise parameter control of the polymer structure, including molecular weight (3,000 to 23,500 Daltons), oxide group ratios, and chain composition parameters (v+x+y+z > 40). By optimizing these parameters, the polymer achieves maximum cleaning efficiency at reduced surfactant levels, transforming the system's performance characteristics without changing the fundamental surfactant-free approach.
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 described liquid laundry additive maintains primary cleaning performance and significantly improves anti-redeposition performance compared to conventional additives, even with reduced surfactant loading.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning booster, wherein the cleaning booster is of formula (I)... wherein each occurrence of R2 is independently selected from a C2-5 alkylene oxide group
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid laundry additive is provided, comprising a cleaning booster, wherein the cleaning booster is of formula (I), wherein R1 is a C1-4 alkylidene group; wherein each occurrence of R2 is independently selected from a C2-5 alkylene oxide group; and wherein the sum v+x+y+z is >40.