Laundry detergent sheet with microcapsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-fibrous laundry detergent sheets fail to effectively deposit and maintain volatile scent characters on fabrics due to premature rupturing of friable microcapsules during the manufacturing process, leading to short-lasting freshness.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating friable microcapsules into non-fibrous laundry detergent sheets later in the manufacturing process, after the sheet formation, to minimize breakage and enhance the longevity of scent deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If friable microcapsules are incorporated into non-fibrous laundry detergent sheets during the original manufacturing process, then the sheets can provide scent deposition, but the microcapsules rupture prematurely leading to poor yield and short-lasting freshness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming the laundry detergent sheet first without microcapsules, then incorporating the friable microcapsules in a subsequent step after the sheet has been formed. This sequence prevents the microcapsules from being exposed to harsh manufacturing conditions that would cause premature rupture, thereby maintaining microcapsule integrity while achieving acceptable manufacturing yield.
2Productivity
If traditional manufacturing approaches are used to incorporate microcapsules, then the sheets can be produced efficiently, but the microcapsules breakage occurs leading to unacceptable yields
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet is formed in advance before microcapsule incorporation, eliminating exposure to harsh manufacturing processes. This preserves the microcapsules while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through a streamlined two-step process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing parameters by using a gentler incorporation method after sheet formation, avoiding the high stress and mechanical forces of traditional co-manufacturing approaches. This parameter change reduces microcapsule breakage while maintaining productivity.
3Ease of operation
If volatile scent characters are deposited onto fabrics during laundering, then the desired fragrance can be achieved, but the scents are lost during the drying process due to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The friable microcapsules act as protective flexible shells that encapsulate the volatile scent characters. These microcapsules protect the scents during the drying process and only rupture when mechanical stress is applied during wear, thereby extending scent longevity while maintaining ease of deposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcapsules provide beforehand cushioning protection to the volatile scent characters during the drying process. This protective encapsulation prevents temperature-related loss of scent, and the scents are released only when mechanical stress from physical movements ruptures the microcapsules during wear.
4Reliability
If moisture-activated microcapsules are used, then the microcapsules remain stable during manufacturing, but they do not provide the desired burst of freshness upon physical movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the activation parameter of the microcapsules from moisture-based to mechanical stress-based. This parameter change allows the microcapsules to remain stable during manufacturing like moisture-activated types, while enabling them to rupture and release scent upon physical movements during wear, providing the desired burst of freshness.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making a non-fibrous laundry detergent sheet can include dispensing a microcapsule onto a precursor non-fibrous laundry detergent sheet, wherein the precursor non-fibrous laundry detergent sheet can include: (a) at least one surfactant; (b) at least one film former; and (c) a thickness ranging from 0.1 mm to 10 mm.