Laundry Detergent Particles With Controlled Release for Reduced Fabric Residue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry detergents often leave undesirable residues on fabrics, compromising appearance and user comfort, despite their effectiveness in stain removal, and there is a growing demand for residue-free cleaning solutions that align with consumer preferences for environmentally friendly and fabric-safe options.
Innovation Solution
A laundry detergent composition comprising a particulate material with a non-active component of 0.01 μm to 20 μm size and a water-soluble fibrous structure that releases at least 50% of its active component upon exposure to water at 5°C to 40°C, reducing residue deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional laundry detergents are used to remove stains, then cleaning efficacy is improved, but residue deposition on fabrics increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter of the non-active component to a specific range (0.01 μm to 20 μm) and controls the release rate of active components (at least 50% release) to optimize the balance between cleaning efficacy and residue reduction. This parameter optimization allows effective stain removal while minimizing fabric residue deposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite particle structure consisting of active cleaning components and non-active components with specific size ranges. This composite formulation enables the detergent to maintain high cleaning performance while the controlled composition reduces unwanted residue on fabrics, resolving the contradiction between effective cleaning and residue-free results.
2Reliability
If detergent formulations are optimized for stain removal, then cleaning performance is improved, but fabric appearance and softness deteriorate due to residue buildup
Solution Approach 1:
By controlling the particle size of non-active components within 0.01 μm to 20 μm and ensuring at least 50% release of active components, the patent optimizes the formulation to achieve superior stain removal while preventing fabric appearance degradation and maintaining softness through reduced residue deposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different components: active components are designed for high release and cleaning action, while non-active components are controlled in size and quantity to minimize negative effects on fabric appearance. This local optimization of component properties resolves the contradiction between cleaning power and fabric quality preservation.
3Reliability
If conventional detergent compositions are used, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but user comfort decreases due to residue on laundered items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes particle size parameters (0.01 μm to 20 μm for non-active components) and release rate parameters (at least 50% active component release) to achieve a balance where cleaning effectiveness is maintained while residue deposition is minimized, thereby improving user comfort with laundered items.
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 solution effectively minimizes residue deposition on fabrics while maintaining superior cleaning efficacy, aligning with consumer demands for residue-free laundry solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a water-soluble fibrous structure that releases at least 50% of its active component upon exposure to water at 5°C to 40°C
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry detergent composition including a particulate material is provided. The particulate material may include one or more particles having an active component and a non-active component. The non-active component may have a dry particle size of from about 0.01 μm to about 20 μm. Unit dose articles may include a water-soluble fibrous structure and the laundry detergent composition or at least the particulate material.