Laundry Detergent Silicone Positioning for Haze Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry detergents often fail to maintain fabric softness effectively due to formulation stability issues, particularly with the use of fabric softening silicones leading to unacceptable haze.
Innovation Solution
A liquid laundry detergent composition comprising 5-40 wt.% surfactant, 0.05-5 wt.% fabric softening anionic silicone with anionic groups located at least 5 Si atoms from the terminal position on the longest linear silicone chain, and 0.05-2.5 wt.% cationic polymer, with a weight ratio of silicone to cationic polymer between 5:1 and 1:1, and a pH of 6-10, which includes cationic polysaccharide polymers like quaternised hydroxyethyl cellulose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fabric softening silicones are used in laundry detergent composition, then fabric softness is improved, but formulation stability deteriorates due to unacceptable haze
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the silicone molecule by specifying that anionic groups must be located at least 5 silicon atoms away from terminal positions. This parameter change in molecular structure eliminates haze formation while preserving fabric softening properties, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite formulation by combining specifically structured anionic silicones with cationic polymers in defined weight ratios (5:1 to 1:1). This composite approach enhances both formulation stability and fabric softness while avoiding the haze problem associated with conventional silicones.
2Reliability
If anionic silicone is used for fabric softening, then softness is improved, but haze increases reducing formulation stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular parameters of the silicone by restricting anionic group positioning to at least 5 silicon atoms from terminal positions. This structural parameter change eliminates the harmful haze effect while maintaining the beneficial fabric softening property.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cationic polymers as intermediary substances that interact with the anionic silicone to stabilize the formulation. This intermediary component mediates between the silicone's softening function and the haze problem, enabling stable formulation with reduced haze.
3Reliability
If conventional silicone formulation is used, then fabric softness is achieved, but formulation stability and transparency are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the formulation parameters by specifying precise structural requirements for the silicone (anionic groups at least 5 Si atoms from terminals) and defined weight ratios with cationic polymers (5:1 to 1:1). These parameter changes simultaneously achieve fabric softness, formulation stability, and transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a composite detergent system combining specifically structured anionic silicones with cationic polymers. This composite material approach achieves multiple objectives: fabric softness from the silicone, stability from the polymer-silicone interaction, and transparency from the optimized formulation structure.
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 provides enhanced fabric softness and stability by reducing haze, maintaining softness across multiple wash cycles while ensuring the anionic silicone is not located at the terminal position on the silicone chain, thereby improving the overall performance of the detergent.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising: (a) from 5 to 40 wt.% of surfactant; (b) from 0.05 to 5 wt.% of fabric softening anionic silicone; and, (c) from 0.05 to 2.5 wt.% of cationic polymer
Implementation Method 2
the anionic group(s) on the fabric softening anionic silicone are located at least 5 Si atoms from a terminal position on the longest linear silicone chain
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to liquid laundry compositions containing (a) surfactant, (b) a fabric softening anionic silicone, and, (c) a cationic polymer, wherein the anionic group(s) on the fabric softening anionic silicone are not located on a terminal position on the longest linear silicone chain, wherein the weight ratio of the silicone to the cationic polymer is from 5:1 to 1 :1, and wherein the liquid detergent composition has a pH of from 6 to 10; and to the use of said composition to soften fabrics.