Laundry Composition Color Fixation Polymer Enzyme Stabilizer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current textile washing methods cause mechanical and chemical stress, leading to pilling, color fading, and dye transfer, with existing solutions being either ineffective or environmentally unfriendly.
Innovation Solution
A stable composition comprising a color fixation polymer, cellulase, enzyme stabilizers, and an antimicrobial agent, which can be used as a standalone treatment or incorporated into detergents, to maintain color and prevent dye transfer while reducing pilling, regardless of wash conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If frequent washing and drying operations are performed to clean textiles, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but mechanical stress on fabric increases leading to pilling and fiber damage
Solution Approach 1:
The composition is applied to textiles before washing to create a protective layer that prevents mechanical damage during subsequent washing and drying operations. This preliminary treatment reduces pilling and fiber breakage without compromising cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition acts as an intermediary substance between the textile and the washing environment, providing a protective barrier that reduces direct mechanical stress on the fabric during washing and drying cycles.
2Productivity
If high temperature and high alkalinity wash cycles are used to improve cleaning performance, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but color release and dye transfer increase
Solution Approach 1:
The composition is applied before washing to preemptively counteract the harmful effects of high temperature and alkalinity on textile color. It forms a protective layer that prevents color release and dye transfer even under harsh washing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition transforms the potentially harmful effects of high temperature and alkalinity into beneficial outcomes by using these conditions to activate or enhance the protective properties of the composition, thereby preventing color damage while maintaining cleaning performance.
3Productivity
If anionic surfactants are used in detergent to improve cleaning, then cleaning performance is improved, but color stability deteriorates due to dye removal from fabrics
Solution Approach 1:
The composition acts as an intermediary between the anionic surfactant and the textile color, preventing direct interaction that would cause dye removal. It allows the surfactant to perform its cleaning function while protecting the color stability of the fabric.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If nonwoven sheets are used for color blocking in the wash chamber, then dye transfer inhibition is improved, but the sheets must be retrieved and discarded adding operational steps and environmental waste
Solution Approach 1:
The composition is applied directly to the textiles, allowing them to protect themselves from dye transfer without requiring external nonwoven sheets. This eliminates the need for sheet retrieval and disposal steps, simplifying the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective function previously provided by separate nonwoven sheets is extracted and integrated directly into the textile treatment composition, eliminating the need for separate physical barriers and their associated operational complexities.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If nonwoven sheets are discarded after use for color blocking, then the color protection function is achieved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates due to landfill waste
Solution Approach 1:
The textiles protect themselves through the applied composition, eliminating the need for disposable nonwoven sheets and their associated environmental waste. The protective function is achieved without creating landfill waste.
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 maintains textile color, prevents dye transfer, and reduces pilling, extending the lifespan of textiles while being insensitive to pH, temperature, and chemical environment, and is environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
the sheets have a large surface area with a higher affinity for the colorants than the garments thereby absorbing the dye from the wash liquor
Implementation Method 2
at least one cellulase
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a composition useful in maintaining color, reducing color uptake, and reducing pilling in washable textiles. Compositions of the invention comprise a polydiallyl dialkyl ammonium compound in combination with an enzyme resulting in a composition delivering strong color maintenance, dye transfer inhibition efficiency and pilling prevention especially on colored natural fiber textiles such as cotton, washable wool and silk. A laundry composition is disclosed comprising a color fixation polymer in an effective amount to maintain color in a washable textile, enzyme in an effective amount to remove pilling, and/or to aid in cleaning, and/or to prevent graying of the textile, an effective amount of an enzyme stabilizing component comprised of a polyol and propylene glycol, and an effective amount of buffer capable of maintaining the composition at a pH to maintain enzymatic activity. The laundry composition of the invention may further comprise water or an antimicrobial agent. A method of treating washable textiles using such composition is also disclosed.