Laundry Detergent Drainage Aid for Robust Fast-Dissolving Tablets
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for laundry detergent formulations that enhance the removal of residual water from fabrics during the rinse cycle and reduce energy demand and transportation costs, while addressing the dichotomy of robustness and dissolution rate in conventional detergent tablets.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a drainage aid component comprising organopolysiloxane and crosslinked cellulose ether into laundry detergent formulations, which includes 0.1 to 0.6 wt% polyether groups, enhances water removal and improves tensile properties, allowing for solid detergent formats that dissolve quickly and efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If higher compressive force is used in preparation of detergent tablets, then robustness is improved, but dissolution rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the binder material by incorporating crosslinked cellulose ether with specific molecular weight (10,000-1,000,000 g/mol) and crosslinking density (0.1-10 mmol/g). This allows the binder to provide sufficient mechanical strength for tablet robustness while maintaining adequate dissolution rate through controlled network structure that permits water penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite binder system combining crosslinked cellulose ether with optional additives such as polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, or carboxymethyl cellulose. This composite approach allows optimization of both mechanical properties (from crosslinked cellulose ether) and dissolution characteristics (from hydrophilic polymers), resolving the contradiction between robustness and dissolution rate.
2Productivity
If conventional detergent formulations are used, then basic cleaning function is provided, but water removal efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the multi-functionality of the detergent formulation by incorporating drainage aid components (silicone-based or hydrophobic polymers) that specifically target water removal during the rinse cycle. These additives work alongside traditional cleaning agents to provide both effective cleaning and enhanced water extraction, allowing the same detergent to perform multiple functions without compromising either.
3Ease of manufacture
If liquid detergent formulations are used, then ease of dosing is provided, but transportation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the detergent formulation from liquid to solid (tablet) form. The crosslinked cellulose ether binder enables tablet formation with controlled solubility, allowing the product to be transported in compact solid format reducing energy costs, while still providing ease of dosing through rapid dissolution in the washing machine during the wash cycle.
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 formulations achieve exceptional water removal during the rinse cycle, reducing energy consumption and transportation costs, while maintaining equivalent primary cleaning performance and stability.
Implementation Method 1
enhances water removal and improves tensile properties
Implementation Method 2
crosslinked cellulose ether containing 0.1 to 0.6 wt % of polyether groups
Implementation Method 3
dissolve quickly and efficiently
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry detergent formulation is provided including a detergent component; optionally, a crosslinked cellulose ether; and a drainage aid component, wherein the drainage aid component comprises: 40-99 wt % of an organopolysiloxane comprising: 0-60 mol % units of formula IRx1SiO(4-x)/2 (I)40-100 mol % units of formula IIRy1Rz2SiO(4-y-z)/2 (II)wherein x is 0-3; y is 0-2; and z is 1-2; y+z is 1-3; R1 is a hydrogen, hydroxy or group having 1-8 carbon atoms; R2 is an -AcR3 group; A is a divalent linking group; c is 0-1; R3 is a group having 9-35 carbon atoms; 1-30 wt % of an organosilicon resin; 0-30 wt % of a hydrophobic additive; with proviso that when the laundry detergent formulation contains ≥0.02 wt % of the drainage aid component, the laundry detergent formulation will also contain at least 0.1 wt % of the crosslinked cellulose ether containing 0.1-0.6 wt % of polyether groups.