Unitary Laundry Detergent Sheet with Sandwiched Hueing Agent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sheet-like laundry detergent products face challenges in incorporating sufficient fabric hueing agents without affecting their appearance or causing staining/spotting on treated fabrics, particularly for Asian consumers who perceive dark colors as harsher.
Innovation Solution
A unitary laundry detergent article with a fabric hueing agent sandwiched between two or more surfactant-containing non-fibrous sheets, which enhances the aesthetic appearance of treated fabrics while minimizing staining and spotting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fabric hueing agents are incorporated uniformly throughout the detergent sheet, then the aesthetic appearance of treated fabrics is improved, but the product color becomes too dark and causes staining/spotting on fabrics
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent sheet is divided into multiple layers: outer layers (first and second non-fibrous sheets) and an inner layer (fibrous sheet containing fabric hueing agent). This segmentation allows the fabric hueing agent to be concentrated in the inner layer rather than uniformly distributed, preventing the product from appearing too dark while still providing aesthetic benefits to treated fabrics.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric hueing agent is localized specifically in the inner fibrous sheet layer rather than being uniformly distributed throughout the entire detergent sheet. This local concentration allows sufficient fabric hueing agent to be incorporated to effectively improve fabric appearance without causing the product to appear too dark or cause staining, as the agent is contained in a specific region.
2Ease of manufacture
If the amount of fabric hueing agent is increased to effectively improve fabric appearance, then the aesthetic appeal of treated fabrics is enhanced, but the product color becomes too dark for consumers' liking
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent sheet is segmented into outer layers and an inner layer containing the fabric hueing agent. This segmentation allows increased incorporation of fabric hueing agent in the inner layer to effectively improve fabric aesthetic appeal without the entire product appearing too dark, as the colored agent is confined to a specific layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric hueing agent is placed locally in the inner fibrous sheet layer rather than being distributed throughout the entire sheet. This local quality approach allows sufficient agent concentration to enhance fabric aesthetic appeal while maintaining acceptable overall product color, as the hueing effect is localized to the inner layer.
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
This configuration allows for higher incorporation of fabric hueing agents without negatively impacting the detergent product's appearance and reduces fabric staining, improving the aesthetic appeal and cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
a unitary laundry detergent article that is water-soluble
Data Source
AI summary
A water-soluble unitary laundry detergent article that contains two or more surfactant-containing non-fibrous sheets with a fabric hueing agent located between such non-fibrous sheets.